HB0234S01 | Public Educator Curriculum Transparency Requirements

Description

General Description:

This bill enacts transparency and notice requirements for local education agencies and schools regarding curricula, class syllabi, and associated learning materials used for student instruction.

Highlighted Provisions:

This Bill
requires local school boards and charter school governing boards to formally adopt
17 curricula used within the local education agency;
18 ▸ requires curricula and class syllabi to be made available and updated online
19 including a description of associated learning materials used for student instruction;
20 ▸ requires schools to make learning materials available for public inspection at
21 schools;
22 ▸ allows limited litigation against an LEA or school in case of a violation

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0234S01

Year:

2022

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 04, 2022

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Oppose w/ Comment

Utah PTA is a tireless advocate for parental involvement and unequivocally supports curriculum transparency. Utah PTA also strongly advocates for policies that strengthen respect and support for public education and the teaching profession. HB234 is not only onerous on teachers, its scope is too broad. Further, it is adversarial and litigious with unclear language behind "violations" and "aggrieved party". Utah PTA believes that the best outcomes can be reached with mutual respect and trust and opposes HB234.

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2011-1 | Excellence in Teaching

Impact on Children:

Children are poorly served by this legislation. At best, the teachers will be worried about making any changes to the curriculum and will not as a result, share with students new information or new innovative ideas for fear of not meeting the stringent requirements. At worst, it pits parents against teachers, as opposed to having them partner in the education of students. Adversarial relationship, guided by mistrust are not in the best interest of students.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

EDU2011-1. That Utah PTA and its constituent associations engage principals and teacher as partners with the PTA to develop relationships, increase capacity within the schools, and improve communities

EDU2013: That Utah PTA and its constituent bodies provide opportunities for parents to feel welcome at their children’s schools and to interact positively with teachers and other school personnel;