InDepth

The great education debate:

The recent push for parent involvement in schools

By Farrah Fasse, Jo Jackson & Allie McIntyre Editor-in-Chief, Web Editor & Staff Reporter

If passed, Michigan’s House Bill 5722, introduced by Michigan House Republicans with a goal of increasing curriculum transparency, will require school districts to publicize specific curriculum, assignments and activities. By the first day of school, districts would have to make their approved curriculum, all course offerings, field trips and extracurricular activities

open to the public or they risk losing funding. “All textbooks, literature, research projects and writing assignments assigned by teachers must also be released. Along with this, the names of all certified teachers who are in Michigan schools must be publicized. Non-complying districts would lose 5% of their annual funding.

Wayne County RESA Social Studies Consultant David Hales believes that the bill was introduced on a “false premise” that there isn’t already community involvement when designing curriculum.

“There seems to be an implication in that law that parents or the public do not have a level of involvement in schools,” Hales said. “That is the farthest thing from the truth. I think [the bill] would have a negative impact, a very chilling impact, because it would take some of that autonomy away from teachers being [able] to really focus on their students, front and center.”

If the bill were passed, math teacher Bradley Smith believes it may impede his creativity and innovation as an educator.

“As a relatively new teacher, a lot of my career right now is revamping old lessons and old curriculum in order to make all the teaching and learning in my classroom better for students,” Smith said. “That’s included revamping projects midyear, even two weeks out from the actual project being assigned with my colleagues in the math department. So, I do wonder how this would stifle innovation in the classroom, and would possibly prevent students from getting a better experience if teachers aren’t allowed to create when they need to. If I followed [my original lesson plans] to a T, my students would not have the best learning

experience, because I also have to tailor my instructions to my individual students.” The push for more transparency in the curriculum may just be a way for parents to have more control over what their children are learning, according to critics of curriculum transparency bills, including junior Ella Chamberlain. “I think parents just want more control over everything,” Chamberlain said. “It should be not totally backed off, but they shouldn’t be at the If I followed [my original lesson head of the teaching curriculum.” Smith does acknowledge the importance of plans] to a T, my students would parents’ involvement in their child’s education not have the best learning for their success, but also says that parents need to recognize that teachers and school staff experience, because I also have to tailor my instructions to my are professionals acting in the best interest of their students. “I think it is valid to want to know what is individual students. happening in your schools and to be communicating with parents and families because [teachers and Bradley Smith MATH TEACHER “ families] should be acting as a team to help their students become these knowledgeable and equipped members of society,” Smith said. “But, I do think there needs to be a line of trust and respect that families know that their child will feel safe and they can enter school and be themselves and be brave and take academic risks.” Though there are some guidelines set by state and federal governments, Hales says that curriculum is mostly determined at the local level. Depending on the individual district, there is generally some level of involvement from

IN-DEPTH

students, teachers and parents alike.

“[The development of curriculum] might look a little different than in Grosse Pointe, in Detroit or Northville or Plymouth-Canton,” Hales said. “But, fundamentally, it’s the same. There’s typically teachers, there’s somewhat parent involvement [and] there’s often student involvement in the process as well to analyze what curriculum feels best for their particular area.”

Within Grosse Pointe Public Schools, Superintendent Dr. Jon Dean identifies two main ways that curriculum is implemented and reviewed, one of which includes input from representatives inside and outside of the classroom.

“Sometimes, it might be a group of teachers that get together and think, ‘Okay, I think this topic or this idea, or this could be a good course for our students,’” Dean said. “So, they maybe have a passion for it, and then we have a whole process where they can apply to our [Educational Programs Leadership Council]. EPLC is made up of parents, teachers, students from North and South [and] administrators. They would review that course application, and if they approve it, then that course will be piloted.”

When curriculum is being reviewed, community member and parent Sean von Schwarz believes that parents should be allowed to express their opinions at an appropriate time, such as at a board meeting.

“If [the district] propose[s] changes to the curriculum, it should certainly be made part of the discussion of what the specific changes are,” von Schwarz said. “Then, forward the opportunity to the public, [and give them] a chance within a school board meeting, or such, or possibly a special meeting for [the community] to discuss it.”

According to the University of Connecticut Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, it is of utmost importance that students develop higher-order thinking skills, including critical thinking, over just memorizing facts in a course or subject. If parents have more control over what is included in the curriculum it could end up taking away higher-order skills students need.

Furthermore, while students may sometimes muse about the relative importance of learning trigonometry or the unit circle, Smith emphasizes the skills that math classes help build for students’ futures.

“As an educator, I believe that the public school system is here to provide access to all students to become critically thinking citizens for our country,” Smith said. “In the math classroom, that means gaining the mathematical skills to better analyze things that are happening around us, and to keep potential doors open to opportunities after high school.”

Hales maintains that classes like social studies provide skills that apply to everyday life. Some of these include analyzing an argument and being able to form and defend an opinion. Hales claims that addressing difficult topics is necessary to forming the character of students, and that topics should not be censored because they represent real life.

“Our ultimate goal [with social studies education] is to really develop students that are responsible citizens,” Hales said. “Citizens that are actively engaged in civic life, and that includes knowing history and government and politics and geography. That means you’re going to have to talk about some tough things sometimes. Because, you know what, that is in the world around us.”

Contributing: Bella Yoakam