Curriculum Transparency: School Board Sample Ordinance
This toolkit comes from Parent Union’s sister project, California Local Elected Officials (CLEO). CLEO is a membership organization that networks, educates, supports and advises local elected officials throughout California’s thousands of cities, counties, school and special districts. CLEO offers policy guidance, detailed financial analyses, legal perspectives and communications assistance to our members on principled governance.
ORDINANCE CURRICULUM TRANSPARENCY TEMPLATE
ORDINANCE NO. [insert number]
AN ORDINANCE OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF [insert name of school district] TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY IN CLASSROOM CURRICULUM IN ACCORDANCE WITH CALIFORNIA LAW
WHEREAS, the School Board of [insert name of school district] is committed to ensuring that all students have access to high-quality educational opportunities that prepare them for college, career, and life success; and
WHEREAS, transparency is essential to building trust and promoting collaboration between the school district, parents, and the community; and
WHEREAS, California law requires school districts to provide transparency in classroom curriculum and the people have a right of access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business under Article I, Section 3,subparagraph (b)(1) of the California Constitution;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the School Board of [insert name of school district] as follows:
Section 1. Transparency in Classroom Curriculum
The School Board of [insert name of school district] hereby affirms its commitment to transparency in classroom curriculum in accordance with California Education Code sections 49091.10 and 51226. The school district will make information about the curriculum available to parents and the community in a timely and accessible manner.
Section 2. Curriculum Materials
The school district will provide parents and the community with access to curriculum materials used in classrooms in accordance with California Education Code section 49091.10. These materials will be made available online, on the school district website or through other electronic means, and in paper form upon request.
Section 3. Curriculum Scope and Sequence
The school district will make available to parents and the community a clear and comprehensive scope and sequence of the curriculum taught in each grade level and subject area in accordance with California Education Code section 51226. This information will be available on the school district website and in other appropriate forms.
Section 4. Curriculum Review Process
The school district will establish a process for regular review and evaluation of curriculum in accordance with California Education Code section 51226. This process will include opportunities for input from teachers, parents, and community members. The results of the review will be made available to the public.
Section 5. Effective Date
This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption by the School Board of [insert name of school district].
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the School Board of [insert name of school district] on this [insert date].
References:
California Education Code section 49091.10:
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=
49091.10.&lawCode=EDC
California Education Code section 51226:
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=
51226.&lawCode=EDC
