6140

Instruction

Curriculum

In accordance with state statutes, the prescribed course of study shall include at least the following subject matter:

1.  The arts, including dance, music, art and theater;
2.  Career education;
3.  Consumer education;
4.  Health and safety, including, but not limited to, human growth and development; nutrition; first aid including CPR training; disease prevention and cancer awareness, including age and developmentally-appropriate instruction in performing self-examinations for screening breast and testicular cancer; community and consumer health, physical mental and emotional health, including youth suicide prevention, substance abuse prevention including opioid use and related disorders; safety, including the use of social media, and may include the dangers of gang membership; and accident prevention;
5.  Language arts, including reading, writing, grammar, speaking and spelling;
6.  Mathematics;
7.  Physical education;
8.  Science, which may include the climate change curriculum;
9.  Social studies, including citizenship, economics, geography, government, history, and Holocaust and genocide education and awareness;
10.  African-American and Black Studies;
11.  Puerto Rican and Latino Studies;
12.  Native American Studies (effective 2023-2024 school year);
13.  Computer programming instruction; and
14.  At least on the secondary level, one or more world languages and vocational education.

The curriculum development/revision process will be conducted by a District Curriculum Committee that has the responsibility to recommend, develop, review, and approve all curriculum for the District and said curriculum shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Education.

The Board of Education reserves the responsibility for establishing and approving curricula for the school district.  Teachers shall teach within the approved curricula. (Alternative language: The Board of Education has responsibility and authority for the district's curriculum, subject to any limits specified by the State.)

The Board of Education in establishing and approving curricula for the school district will give due consideration to the possible adoption and use of the model curriculum for grades K-8 developed by the Connecticut State Department of Education in collaboration with the State Education Resource Center (SERC) upon its availability. Such consideration shall be based upon the recommendation of the District Curriculum Committee.

(cf. 6110 - Provisions of Negotiated Agreements)
(cf. 6121 - Nondiscrimination:  Instructional Program)

Legal Reference:  Connecticut General Statutes

10 16b Prescribed courses of study, as amended by PA 08-153, PA 21-2 JSS, Sections 374, 375, 376.

10 16c et seq. re Family life education.

10 17 English language to be medium of instruction.

10 17 et seq. re Bilingual instruction.

10 18 Courses in United States history, government and duties and responsibilities of citizenship.

10 18a Contents of textbooks and other general instructional materials.

10 18 bet seq. re Firearms safety programs.

10 19 Effect of alcohol, nicotine or tobacco and drugs to be taught.  Training of personnel.  Evaluation of programs by alcohol and drug abuse commission and department of education.

10 19a et seq. re Substance abuse prevention team.

10 24 Course in motor vehicle operation and highway safety.

10 21 et seq. re Vocational education and cooperation with business.

10-220 Duties of boards of education as amended by PA 08-153.

10-221a High School graduation requirements.

PA 22-80 An Act Concerning Childhood Mental and Physical Health Services in School.

Policy adopted: