HB946:

Education, Board of; public notice and comment regarding certain materials.

Bill Summary:

Board of Education; local school boards; public notice and comment regarding certain materials. Requires the Board of Education (the Board), in order to provide appropriate opportunity for input from the general public, parents, teachers, and local school boards, to solicit public comment prior to revising, adopting, or approving any Standards of Learning resource guide or curriculum framework, list of recommended textbooks in any Standards of Learning academic subject, textbook, instructional aid or material, or required or recommended reading list. The bill requires the Board to publish notice of its intended action at least 30 days prior to soliciting public comment, provide interested parties reasonable opportunity to be heard and present information prior to final action of the Board, and make such materials available for public inspection at least 30 days prior to final revision, adoption, or approval, as the case may be. Under current law, such requirements for public input apply only to the adoption or revision of Standards of Learning resource guides and lists of recommended textbooks in any Standards of Learning academic subject. The bill also requires the Board to establish minimum standards for local school boards to provide appropriate opportunity for input from the general public, parents, and teachers by soliciting public comment prior to revising, adopting, or approving any curriculum, textbook, instructional aid or material, or required or recommended reading list. The bill requires each local school board to comply with such minimum standards, which are required to include opportunities for public input that are substantially similar to those that are required to be provided by the Board.