The Republican-controlled state Assembly passed a bill Wednesday that would require school boards to make curriculum and instructional materials available for inspection by district residents in a 54-43 vote along party lines.
Brought forward in a package with five other bills pertaining to education, this bill would require school boards to comply with a school district resident’s written request to inspect curriculum, instructional materials and textbooks within 14 days.
While many schools post information about curriculum and instructional materials used on their website, current law states that a list of all textbooks used must be filed with the school board clerk, and any school teaching human growth and development must give an outline of instruction to families in advance, according to the Wisconsin Department of Instruction (DPI).
Republican lawmakers brought the bill forward with the idea of rebuilding trust between parents and schools.
“If there is nothing to hide, there is nothing to fear,” Rep. Barbara Dittrich, R-Oconomowoc said. “This bill was intended to rebuild that bridge of trust between parents and their schools. That trust has been fractured and it's time to put it back into place.”
Democratic lawmakers oppose the bill, believing it to be uncalled for, saying that it is “fear-mongering” only creating further distrust between educators and residents.
“There is no need for this proposed legislation,” Rep. Francesca Hong, D-Madison, told The Daily Cardinal on Feb. 12. “Anyone can make an open records request for a districts curriculum at any time. This bill is politically motivated and disrespectful to educators and school staff across the state.”
DPI also opposed the bill, seeing it as a move to discredit educators while creating unnecessary fear.
While State Superintendent Jill Underly recognized the importance of transparency in education, she said in a statement Thursday schools already provide clear access to curriculum and materials, and this bill is an “unnecessary” measure that would only burden the already strained educator workforce. She criticized Republican lawmakers for promoting bills undermining the “expertise” of Wisconsin educators.
“Republican lawmakers are proving once again they’re not interested in real solutions — they’re too busy playing political games, using our schools and children as pawns to push their own ideological agenda,” Underly said. “Rather than empowering local districts, they are intent on ignoring local control and imposing their own control over classrooms, dictating every move and actively trying to undermine public trust in our teachers and the entire education system.”
The Assembly also considered other education-related bills Wednesday, including measures requiring cursive writing instruction and a civics education mandate. The discussions reflect a broader legislative effort to shape Wisconsin’s education system.
In Gov. Tony Evers’ State of the State and budget addresses, he emphasized the importance of investing in education at all levels, calling his biennial budget proposal the “most pro-kid budget in state history.” In addition to proposing major investments in higher education, Evers called on the Legislature to invest more than $3.1 billion in general and categorical aid for K-12 public schools.
Republican lawmakers, who control the state Legislature and the budget-writing process, have pledged to throw out the governor’s proposed spending plan and write their own, with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, saying Evers’ spending proposals are "dead on arrival.”
Clara Strecker is a copy chief for The Daily Cardinal. She also covers state news.
