A bill that survived the first funnel week in the Iowa House focuses on transparency in the classroom.

District 47 Representative Phil Thompson of Boone ran the bill from the governor’s office concerning obscene materials in school libraries and classrooms. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio he wanted the bill to allow for more transparency, including cataloging and publishing books that are in school libraries, as well as lesson plans and materials that will be used in the classroom. He notes, the bill doesn’t define what obscene materials are, because he believes school boards have systems in place to decide on those situations, if they are called into question.

Thompson points out there have been concerns from parents about this issue.

“Yeah I’ve had lots of parents talk about somewhat of a lack of transparency, but really just mostly confusion on how to figure out what materials are being taught, what materials are in the classroom, and just wanting to know how to even navigate the process. Usually they can find those answers. I think most teachers are more than happy to share materials and share what is being taught. Another aspect of this bill is clarifying, ‘This is where you go.’ You just have to go to this website and you can see the materials and it’s clear as day. I think for most parents that’ll probably put them at ease and go, ‘Okay, that’s definitely appropriate materials and I have a lot of confidence in what’s going on in the classroom.”       

Thompson adds that he is also mindful of teachers and not having them do lots of extra work to publish their lesson plans, but mimic what other school districts are already doing. Since the bill made it out of the House Education Committee, it is still eligible for a House floor vote.