State Representative Andrew Beeler has responded to questions about House Bill 5722 that he has co-sponsored.
The bill calls for the entire lesson plan for the entire year for every classroom to be made public prior to the start of the year and levies a 5% reduction in school aid for non-compliance. The bill is in committee and has not yet been voted on.
Beeler said, “I think it is necessary to have transparency in curriculum as parents have a right to know what is and what isn’t being taught to their children.
It is necessary for parents to know what their children are being taught. The majority of parents in this state and across the country think its necessary as well. Schools should have no reason to want to conceal this information from parents. Additionally, better transparency is good for our teachers and schools. When parents aren’t able to see what their child’s curriculum consists of, they assume the worse or seek another, more transparent school.
As lesson plans are prepared by teachers in advance of a school year so too are department curriculums. The additional burden placed on schools to provide this information seems pale in comparison to the added benefit that transparency provides. Teacher shortage or not, it is always the right time to do what is best for our students.”
House Fiscal analysis reported that, if passed, the legislation would impose an indeterminate, but potentially significant, cost to school districts and the Michigan Department of Education, which would be required to monitor the reporting.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
