303 Curriculum Development
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to provide direction for continuous review and improvement of the school curriculum.
II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
Curriculum development shall be directed toward the fulfillment of the goals and objectives of the education program of the school district.
III. RESPONSIBILITY
A. The superintendent shall be responsible for curriculum development and for determining the most effective way of conducting research on the school district’s curriculum needs and establishing a long-range curriculum development program. Timelines shall be determined by the superintendent that will provide for periodic reviews of each curriculum area.
B. A district advisory committee shall provide assistance at the request of the superintendent. The advisory committee membership shall be a reflection of the community and, to the extent possible, shall reflect the diversity of the district and its school sites, and shall include parent, teacher, school board, support staff, student, community residents, and administration representation, and shall provide translation to the extent appropriate and practicable. Whenever possible, parents and other community residents shall comprise at least two-thirds of advisory committee members.
C. Within the ongoing process of curriculum development, the following needs shall be addressed:
- Provide for articulation of courses of study from pre-kindergarten through grade twelve.
- Identify minimum objectives for each course and at each elementary grade level.
- Provide for continuing evaluation of programs for the purpose of attaining school district objectives.
- Provide a program for ongoing monitoring of student progress.
- Provide for specific, particular, and special needs of all members of the student community.
- Develop a local literacy plan to have every child reading at or above grade level no later than the end of grade 3, including English learners, and teachers providing comprehensive, scientifically based reading instruction consistent with law.
- Integrate required and elective course standards in the scope and sequence of the district curriculum.
- Meet all applicable requirements of the Minnesota Department of Education and federal law.
D. The superintendent shall be responsible for keeping the school board informed of all state-mandated curriculum changes, as well as recommended discretionary changes, and for periodically presenting recommended modifications for school board review and approval.
E. The superintendent shall have discretionary authority to develop guidelines and directives to implement school board policy relating to curriculum development.
Legal References
Minn. Stat. § 120B.10 (Findings; Improving Instruction and Curriculum)
Minn. Stat. § 120B.11 (School District Process)
Minn. Stat. § 120B.12 (Reading Proficiently no Later than the End of Grade 3)
Minn. Rules Part 3500.0550 (Inclusive Educational Program)
Minn. Rules Parts 3501.0640-3501.0655 (Academic Standards for Language Arts)
Minn. Rules Parts 3501.0700-3501.0745 (Academic Standards for Mathematics)
Minn. Rules Parts 3501.0800-3501.0815 (Academic Standards for the Arts)
Minn. Rules Parts 3501.0900-3501.0955 (Academic Standards in Science)
Minn. Rules Parts 3501.1000-3501.1190 (Graduation-Required Assessment for Diploma) (repealed Minn. L. 2013, Ch. 116, Art. 2, § 22)
Minn. Rules Parts 3501.1200-3501.1210 (Academic Standards for English Language Development)
Minn. Rules Parts 3501.1300-3501.1345 (Academic Standards for Social Studies)
Minn. Rules Parts 3501.1400-3501.1410 (Academic Standards for Physical Education)
20 U.S.C. § 6301, et seq. (Every Student Succeeds Act)
Cross References
ISD 15 Policy 304 (Instructional Curriculum)
ISD 15 Policy 305 (Alternative Programs)
ISD 15 Policy 313 (Graduation Requirements)
ISD 15 Policy 314 (School District Testing Plan and Procedure)
ISD 15 Policy 315 (Testing Accommodations, Modifications, and Exemptions for IEPs, Section 504 Plans, and LEP Students)
ISD 15 Policy 316 (School District System Accountability)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 617 (School District Ensurance of Preparatory and High School Standards)
ISD 15 Policy 318 (Assessment of Student Achievement)
ISD 15 Policy 319 (Staff Development for Standards)
ISD 15 Policy 320 (Credit for Learning)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 623 (Mandatory Summer School Instruction)
Adopted: April 8, 2019
School Board
Independent School District No. 15
St. Francis, Minnesota