Should public universities allow individuals to see what they are teaching? Of course they should, and many states have laws mandating syllabus transparency.

But when Daniel Buck asked UCLA for its education school syllabi, he was told no. In today’s Martin Center article, he looks at the reasons given for the refusal and finds them wanting.

The University of California, Los Angeles, . . . declined to fulfill this basic public records request. In a letter justifying their decision, they wrote that the public interest in not disclosing the requested documents “outweighs the public interest served by disclosure.” The letter explains that doing so: “would devalue a State asset, undercut the ability to attract and retain faculty, lecturers........

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