RALEIGH, N.C. (May 5, 2026) — The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal has released a new 50-state comparison on syllabus transparency, finding that just seven states require public colleges and universities to make course syllabi publicly available.
Despite rapid advances in technology and growing demands for accountability in higher education, most public institutions still do not provide consistent public access to course-level information, including readings, grading policies, and weekly topics.
“Making syllabi transparent is a necessary step to improve public trust,” said Jenna Robinson, the president of the Martin Center. “Taxpayers deserve this kind of transparency and accountability.”
Key Findings
- Most states require only minimal course information, such as titles and descriptions.
- Only seven states—Florida, Georgia, Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Utah—require public disclosure of syllabi at public universities.
- Policies vary significantly, with some states acting through legislation and others through university system boards.
“Syllabus transparency is a straightforward, low-cost reform, and it’s surprising that only seven states have adopted it,” said Jovan Tripkovic, author of the report.
The Martin Center believes this report comes at the right time. Without syllabus transparency, students are left guessing when choosing courses. Parents have little sense of what they’re actually paying for. Taxpayers can’t see how public dollars are being used. And faculty are more exposed to misunderstandings, complaints, and grade disputes.
Policy Recommendations
The report outlines practical, cost-effective reforms, including:
- Making syllabi publicly accessible without login requirements
- Creating centralized, searchable databases
- Posting syllabi at least 45 days before the semester
- Including course content, assignments, and grading criteria
- Standardizing formats and maintaining records for at least two years
Syllabus transparency is a straightforward and inexpensive reform with broad benefits. Expanding access to course information can improve decision-making, strengthen accountability, and rebuild trust in higher education.
You can access the full report HERE.