What can teachers do to ensure that parents have voice in building the school curriculum?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

To ensure that parents have a voice in designing the school curriculum, teachers should welcome parents as members of textbook selection, curriculum or course evaluation committees. Their suggestions and criticisms should be taken seriously, but school administrators must ensure that representatives of all segments of the community are heard and not just the loudest, most organized or most articulate.
Parental input must be balanced against the professional expertise of teachers and administrators. Schools should have a coherent curriculum revision process to ensure that all textbooks, classroom activities, and instructional methods are meeting educational objectives and standards. Teachers must ensure that their textbooks, supplemental materials, lessons, and activities are based on sound educational principles and are meeting district and state educational objectives and standards.
Processes for handling challenges to textbooks, methods, and materials should be developed and followed. Reasonable exceptions should be allowed, but procedures for appealing the curriculum policies should be established before the first request is made. Welcoming parents as partners in the teaching and learning process, even in the building of the curriculum, may encourage parents to view the schools as their allies in guiding the upbringing of their children.