6141

Instruction

Curriculum Design/Modification/Approval

The Board of Education expects on-going curriculum review and development in order to maintain programs consistent with current and future-oriented quality standards and with comprehensive PK-6 continuity. In keeping with its responsibility to govern the substance and assure the quality and relevance of the instructional program, the Board of Education will review and take formal action on all recommendations for entirely new activities, services or program offerings and all program deletions. The Board will also review and take formal action on all modifications which represent a significant change in the direction for a given program or subject area; which will have an impact on the continuity or coordination of another program or subject area; which will require a substantial increase in resources, either immediately or in the predictable future; or which will have high visibility and interest in the public eye.

The Board will concern itself with the general content and the purposes which the new offering or modification seeks to achieve, the desirability of making the change for purposes of the overall curriculum, and the availability of resources to support the change.

Proposals for curriculum change and modification shall be presented to the Board in a common format specified by the Superintendent for that purpose and outlining the reasons for the change, the scope and substance of the change, its financial impact, its effect on staffing, its impact on other courses and programs, and methods for evaluating the effect of the change.

Responsibility for the specific content, sequence and organizational framework within which the program or activity is presented shall rest with the Superintendent and his/her delegated agent(s) on the staff.

Building principals and staff members in positions of curriculum leadership shall be responsible for keeping the Superintendent, and through him/her the Board of Education, informed of less significant changes as they take place.

To inform the Board of the ongoing program, the Superintendent shall be responsible for scheduling periodic curriculum reports which will cover all program and subject areas over a period of time.

Legal Reference:  Connecticut General Statutes

10-16b Prescribed courses of study.

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.

10-18b et 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

Policy adopted:  June 3, 2008