In response to the reported refusal by some Tennessee school districts to make teaching materials readily available to parents involving the religion of Islam, State Senators Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet) and Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield) issued the following statement:
“We have received reports that parents are being refused access to material used in 7th grade social studies regarding the teaching of Islam.”
“Effective July 2014, the Tennessee General Assembly amended state law to entitle parents and legal guardians to review all teaching materials, instructional materials, and other teaching aids used in the classroom of the parent or legal guardian’s child. TCA 49-6-7003(b)(1).
"Parents and legal guardians are also entitled to review tests that are developed by and graded by a teacher of the parent or legal guardian’s child. TCA 49-6-7003(b)(2).
"Further, school districts are required to make all teaching materials, including handouts readily available for review upon request by the parents or legal guardians. TCA 49-6-7003(c).
"We want to remind all Tennessee school districts that the law is very clear and that any teaching materials of any grade level shall be made readily available to parents or legal guardians at their request.”