New Proposal Would Protect Parental Rights, Increase Transparency In Delaware Schools

A new proposal that will soon be filed in the State House of Representatives seeks to help build better relationships between parents, teachers, and school officials, according to a statement released by State Rep. Charles Postles of Milford.

“The Delaware Education Right to Know Act is intended to increase educational transparency and build consensus among all the people with an interest in helping Delaware children succeed in the classroom,” said Postles.

“Teachers are trained professionals and need the freedom to effectively carry out their essential mission,” Rep. Postles said. “At the same time, parents should have access to what their children are being taught as well as what policies schools have set on important issues. This bill is an attempt to reconcile these interests in a cooperative way.”

Under the measure, each Delaware public school, including charter schools, would need to establish a web portal on which the public would be able to access the following information:

• A course syllabus or a written summary of each instructional course.
• A general description of instructional materials, textbooks, and digital resources that educators plan to utilize in each instructional course.
• The school’s policy on how information is communicated to parents/guardians and other stakeholders about violent incidents taking place at the school.
• What health care services are offered at the school and how parental/guardian notification and consent are handled regarding these services.

Parents and guardians would also be assured of an opportunity to meet with the educators teaching their children at least once each academic year. The superintendent of each public school district, or the head of each charter school, in consultation with teachers, would have the flexibility for determining the timing and method for satisfying this requirement. “As a former school board member, I’m aware of the challenges faced by teachers and school administrators,” Rep. Postles said.

“I have carefully constructed this bill to provide useful information to stakeholders in a way that should not be overly burdensome on our schools.” Rep. Postles concluded that he believes the best educational outcomes occur when teachers and parents work collectively. “I believe that making these constructive policies uniform across all Delaware schools will establish a framework for partnership and collaboration.”

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