IF CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, ADOPTION AND REVIEW
I - INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM
By state statute, the Board is required to determine and provide educational programs to be carried on in the schools of the district in accordance with the state’s uniform content and performance standards and common core of skills.
Constant adaptation and development of curriculum to meet required standards is necessary if the district is to meet the needs of the students in its schools. The selection of appropriate instructional materials is an integral part of the curriculum development process along with purchasing of media, support books, and non-print instructional materials.
To be successful, curriculum development and material selection must be a cooperative enterprise involving staff members and those individuals not on the staff who can bring expertise and/or relevancy to the development process.
The Board shall approve all K-12 courses of study, new or additional courses at the secondary level, educational programs, major revisions of current curricula, curriculum frameworks, adoption of textbooks and core learning materials. The curriculum will be aligned with the board-adopted content standards to ensure that each student will have the educational experiences needed to achieve the relevant standards.
The approval process will allow for appropriate critique of recommendations from the professional staff but is not intended to stifle or curtail the development and implementation of innovative educational delivery systems or methods of teaching. The Board encourages curriculum and instructional delivery systems that show promise in increasing student achievement. All frameworks and materials shall be open to the public for review and critique at established times set by the administration. In adopting major textbook series or core learning materials, all items shall be open for inspection at a site selected by the district where the community may preview the material prior to Board adoption. Comments to the Board by the public are welcome prior to the adoption process.
The Board shall also provide for a systematic cycle of development, adoption and review for all areas in the common core of knowledge and common core of skills. The reviews will determine if the established curriculum, courses or programs in the district are effective and reflect relevant content standards and district goals as adopted by the board of education. The review will include consideration of achievement results for all student populations, educational equity, curriculum breadth and depth and congruence with district’s assessment program and board adopted content standards.
Because literacy and math are essential areas, they shall be reviewed on an annual basis. Because of more rapid advances in the areas of science and technology, they shall be reviewed on a more frequent basis.
Policy Cross References:
» AD - PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT
» AE - SCHOOL DISTRICT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
» IGA - BASIC INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM