'See What Your Kids Are Learning': PA GOP Passes New Curriculum Transparency Bill

PENNSYLVANIA — A new bill has been passed by Republicans in the Pennsylvania legislature that would require school districts to allow parents to readily access information online regarding their child's curriculum. The bill now heads to Gov. Tom Wolf's desk.

The proposed legislation comes in the wake of a fall of chaotic school board meetings and controversy over how certain issues were approached in the classroom, including critical race theory. That theory, developed in the 1970s as a way to see American history and society through the lens of institutional racism, became the center of national attention in recent months.

House Bill 1332, or the "Empowering Parents With Curriculum Transparency" bill, was amended by the Senate and approved by the House this week.

"By empowering parents with this information before the school year starts, we can ensure that curriculum and lesson plans being taught in our public schools are in line with the educational objectives and wishes of parents," bill author, State Rep. Andrew Lewis (R-Dauphin), wrote in a co-sponsorship memorandum. "Parents across our communities will be able to easily review these materials and provide feedback to school district officials before the next school year starts."

Gov. Wolf opposes the bill and is not expected to sign it. Opposing Democrats say the bill is an effort to incite division, as well as undermine the authority of the school boards, and that is has nothing to do with transparency.

"It's about bringing the fights that get started on Fox News to the kindergarten classroom near you," State Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) said during a legislative hearing. "It's about forcing our overburdened school districts to post every single thing they do online, so that right wing muckrakers, or for that matter, left wing muckrakers, can waste precious educational resources."

It passed the General Assembly by a vote of 112-88, and then the Senate, 28-21. Both votes were along party lines.

Frankel added that the bill amounted to an "invitation" to "the book burners and the anti-maskers to harass our schools and harass our teachers."

Republicans say it's about censorship.

"I just can't believe they don't want you to know what your children are being taught," Republican State Rep. Russ Diamond (R-Lebanon) said in a social media post.

Lewis said he spoke with parents who were "dismayed" they had no idea what was being taught to their children.

"This legislation is vital to ensure that parents across our communities remain in the driver’s seat when it comes to the education of their children," Lewis added.

Similar bills have been vetoed recently by governors in other states, including Wisconsin just this month.