PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION

PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION

po2215Adopted May 1, 2002Revised October 7, 2025

2215 - PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION

A program of instruction shall be developed and implemented by the Superintendent as follows:

  1. Elementary School

    The primary purpose of the elementary school shall be to serve each individual student by promoting opportunities for optimum learning development. The program of instruction in the elementary school shall promote the language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, health and physical education, music, art, and other disciplines as shall be considered necessary to a well-rounded elementary school program. A procedure shall be established by which schools may recommend for approval courses or programs to meet the unique needs of students. Each subject field shall, insofar as practicable, embrace in the materials used and in the teaching procedures employed, instruction in study and work habits, career awareness, library usage, safety, thrift, conservation, health and hygiene, citizenship, the establishment of purpose, and the development of character and morality. Provision shall be made for the inculcation of ideals of group and individual behavior; to this end, organized play, intramural sports and games, hobby groups, and other organized student activities shall be fostered.
  2. Middle School

    The primary purpose of the middle school shall be to promote an expanded educational experience to meet the needs of the students in the seventh and eighth grades of school. The District-wide program of studies and services adopted by the Board shall determine the specific offerings. An approval process shall be established by which schools may recommend courses or programs to meet the unique needs of students. Activities which offer desirable experience, such as band (or music), dance, visual arts, drama, creative writing, athletics, and student government, etc., shall be promoted.
  3. Senior High School

    The primary purpose of the senior high school shall be to promote education which fits the needs of all students. Courses shall be offered at a level which will challenge students to perform to their capacity. The District-wide studies adopted by the Board shall determine the specific offerings. Library and counseling services shall be provided to enable educational objectives to be met. Student government, publications, drama, music, visual arts, a broad program of athletics, and social activities, etc., shall be promoted for the development of well-rounded citizens.

Required Instruction

  1. The District shall submit a Required Instruction Implementation Plan to the Commissioner of the Florida Department of Education. The plan will include, at a minimum, the following:
     
    1. the methods in which instruction will be delivered for each grade level;
    2. the professional qualifications of the District's instructional personnel; and,
    3. a description of the District's instructional materials.

The implementation plan will also be posted on the District's website.

  1. Instructional staff members, subject to Board policy and State Board of Education rules, shall teach efficiently and faithfully, using the books and materials required that meet the highest standards for professionalism and historic accuracy, following the prescribed courses of study, and employing approved methods of instruction, the topics and subject matter set forth in F.S. 1003.42 and F.A.C. 6A-1.094124.

Resiliency Education Required Instruction

Civic and character education (see F.A.C. Rule 6A-1.094124), and life skills education that builds confidence and supports mental health, are combined to develop and prepare more resilient students. The District will provide annually a minimum of five (5) hours of data-driven instruction to students in grades 6-12 related to civic and character education and life skills education through resiliency education. Using the health education standards adopted in F.A.C. Rule 6A-1.09401, the instruction will advance each year through developmentally appropriate instruction and skill building and will address, at a minimum the following topics:

  1. Strategies specific to demonstrating resiliency through adversity, including the benefits of service to the community through volunteerism.
     
  2. Strategies to develop health characteristics that reinforce positive core values and foster resiliency, such as:
     
    1. empathy, perseverance, grit, gratitude, and responsibility;
       
    2. critical thinking, problem-solving, and responsible decision-making;
       
    3. self-awareness and self-management;
       
    4. mentorship and citizenship; and
       
    5. honesty.
       
  3. Recognition of signs and symptoms of mental health concerns.
     
  4. Promotion of resiliency to empower youth to persevere and reverse the harmful stigma of mental health by reframing the approach from mental health education to resiliency education.
     
  5. Strategies to support a peer, friends, or family member through adversity.
     
  6. Prevention of suicide.
     
  7. Prevention of the abuse of and addiction to alcohol, nicotine, and drugs.
     
  8. Awareness of local school and community resources and the process for accessing assistance.

Disability History and Awareness Instruction

The District may provide disability history and awareness instruction in all K-12 schools during the first two (2) weeks in October each year during "Disability History and Awareness Weeks".  During this two (2) week period, students will be provided intensive instruction to expand their knowledge, understanding, and awareness of individuals with disabilities, the history of disabilities, and the disability rights movement.  Disability history may include the events and timelines of the development and evolution of services to, and the civil rights of, individuals with disabilities.  Disability history may also include the contributions of specific individuals with disabilities, including the contributions of acknowledged national leaders.

The instruction must include the following material:

  1. For kindergarten through grade 3:
     
    1. Conversations on bullying.  Such conversations may address what students should do if they are being bullied; what they should do if they see someone being bullied; why bullying is not the victim's fault; what different types of bullying look like; the possibility that a friend could be a bully; or the school's antibullying policy.
    2. Activities to teach about physical disabilities.
  2. For grades 4 through 6, information about autism spectrum disorder.
  3. For grades 7 through 9, information about hearing impairments.
  4. For grades 10 through 12, information on different types of learning and intellectual disabilities.

Instructional materials will be developed and made available by the FLDOE.

Instruction in Operation of Motor Vehicles

See Board Policy 2432.

Exemptions from Certain Instruction

Any student whose parent makes a written request to the Principal shall be exempted from the teaching of reproductive health or any disease, including HIV/AIDS, its symptoms, development, and treatment.  A student so exempted will not be penalized by reason of that exemption.

Revised 10/15/24
Revised 10/7/25

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