A new law in Alabama, the Parents Right to Know Act, requires all schools and districts to post information online about what children are being taught. The law went into effect in June, but it’s unclear if all schools are complying with it yet. Parents can access curriculum information on school websites and have a process to lodge complaints if teachers don’t provide information. State legislators, including Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed, are prioritizing parental engagement in education. State Superintendent Eric Mackey sent a memo to superintendents outlining the law’s requirements. Alabama Daily News found that over 60% of districts have posted their curriculum online, while some have the information available behind logins. Schools like Walker County and Dothan City Schools have been transparent in sharing curriculum information, with some districts posting textbooks and materials used, while others link to state standards. Whitney Miller-Nichols from the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools supports the law and believes that parental involvement leads to better educational outcomes. The law leaves some details to local schools, including defining curriculum, but Reed expects all school systems in Alabama to follow the law. Parents and guardians now have a new tool to understand what their child is learning and to be more involved in their education.
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Photo credit aldailynews.com
