Pontiac Times

Parents — the primary educators of their children — have a basic and fundamental right to know what their children are being taught in school. However, a series of concerning court rulings may now make it more difficult for parents to gain access to classroom information.

In a recent op-ed published in Bridge Michigan, State Sen. Michael Webber and State Rep. Mark Tisdel highlighted the importance of transparency in education. They emphasized the need for parents to have access to information regarding their children's curriculum. The lawmakers expressed their concern over a legal loophole that hinders parents from obtaining crucial details about what is being taught in schools.

The article referenced a case involving Rochester Community Schools parent and Board of Education Trustee Carol Beth Litkouhi, who faced challenges in accessing curriculum material through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Litkouhi's perseverance in seeking transparency led to her case being taken up by the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation.

According to Steve Delie, director of open government and transparency at the Mackinac Center, "Schools must make curricula available to parents under Michigan law." The lawmakers echoed this sentiment, stressing that it should not be a cumbersome process for parents to stay informed about their children's education.

The legislators introduced Senate Bill 154 and House Bill 4220 to address the issues surrounding FOIA and classroom transparency. They urged their fellow lawmakers to support these bills, emphasizing the importance of legislative action in protecting parents' rights to access educational information.

State Sen. Webber and Rep. Tisdel highlighted the significance of public accountability in education, stating that taxpayer-funded schools should operate with transparency. They called for a legislative fix to ensure that public schools prioritize students' education over legal battles.

Despite the challenges faced by the bills in the Senate and House Committees, the lawmakers remain hopeful that the recent appeals court ruling will prompt their colleagues to take action. They urged for bipartisan support in clarifying FOIA laws to empower parents in overseeing their children's education.

In conclusion, the op-ed emphasized the essential role of parents in shaping their children's educational experiences and advocated for greater transparency in Michigan's public schools. The lawmakers reiterated their commitment to advocating for parents' rights to access information about classroom curriculum.