2210 - CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
The Board of Education recognizes its responsibility for the quality of the educational program of the schools. To this end, the curriculum shall be developed, evaluated, and adopted on a continuing basis and in accordance with a plan for curriculum growth established by the Superintendent.
For purposes of this policy and consistent communication throughout the District, curriculum shall be defined as:
the courses of study, subjects, classes, and organized activities provided by the school;
learning activities approved by the Board for individuals or groups of students and expressed in terms of specific instructional objectives or class periods;
all the planned activities of the schools, including formal classroom instruction and out-of-class activity, both individual and group, necessary to accomplish the educational goals of the District.
The Board directs that the curriculum of this District:
provide grade-appropriate instruction on career development in each grade level from kindergarten through 12th;
provides instruction in courses required by statute and State Department of Education regulations;
ensures, to the extent feasible, that special learning needs of students are provided for in the context of the regular program or classroom and provides for effective coordination with programs or agencies that are needed to meet those needs that cannot be dealt with in the regular program or classroom;
be consistent with the District's philosophy and goals;
incorporate State-recommended performance standards for students as the basis for determining how well each student is achieving the academic outcomes for each area of the District's core curriculum;
at the high school level, consider alternatives to traditional class periods as a method for determining student progress toward receiving course credit;
allows for the development of individual talents and interests as well as recognizes that learning styles of students may differ;
utilizes a variety of learning resources to accomplish the educational goals;
encourages students to utilize guidance and counseling services in their academic and career planning;
provides for multi-cultural education by including, at each level, courses or units which help students understand the culture and contributions of various ethnic groups comprising American society, including, but not limited to Euro- Americans, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, and Native-Americans.
As educational leader of the District, the Superintendent shall be responsible to the Board for the development and evaluation of curriculum and the preparation of courses of study.
The Superintendent shall make progress reports to the Board periodically.
The Superintendent may conduct such innovative programs as are deemed to be necessary to the continuing growth of the instructional program and to better ensure accomplishment of the District's educational goals.
The Superintendent shall report each such innovative program to the Board along with its objectives, evaluative criteria, and costs.
Approved Courses
The Board shall adopt a list of the individual courses that have been approved. The list shall include courses offered by the District for credit or grade promotion and shall be used when determining which courses may be included in membership for State aid purposes and for auditing purposes when examining the membership counted for State school aid on the count days. The list of approved courses shall include traditional offerings and courses offered through other means, such as experiential learning courses, online courses, and all courses offered in shared time programs under appropriate provisions of the State School Aid Act. (M.C.L. 388.1766b). The list of approved courses shall include all extended learning opportunities associated with each course and a description of each such opportunity. The list shall also include a description of the content of each approved course and documentation related to course approval (including the list of approved courses for membership purposes).
The Board encourages, where it is feasible and in the best interests of the District, participation in programs of educational research.
The Board directs the Superintendent to pursue actively State and Federal aid in support of the District's innovative activities.
Revised 5/13/19
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