Policy

6:040 Curriculum Development

Adoption

The Superintendent shall recommend a comprehensive curriculum that is aligned with:

The District’s educational philosophy and goals,
Student needs as identified by research, demographics, and student achievement and other data,
The knowledge, skills, and abilities required for students to become life-long learners,
The minimum requirements of State and federal law and regulations for curriculum and graduation requirements,
The curriculum of non-District schools that feed into or from a District school, provided that the necessary cooperation and information is available,
The Illinois State Learning Standards and any District learning standards, and
Any required State or federal student testing.

The School Board will adopt, upon recommendation of the Superintendent, a curriculum that meets the above criteria.

Experimental Educational Programs and Pilot Projects

The Superintendent may recommend experimental educational programs and/or pilot projects for Board consideration. Proposals must include goals, material needs, anticipated expenses, and an evaluation process. The Superintendent shall submit to the Board periodic progress reports for programs that exceed one year in duration and a final evaluation with recommendation upon the program’s completion.

Single-Gender Classes and Activities

The Superintendent may recommend a program of nonvocational single-gender classes and/or activities to provide diverse educational opportunities and/or meet students’ identified educational needs. Participation in the classes or activities must be voluntary, both genders must be treated with substantial equality, and the program must otherwise comply with State and federal law and with Board policy 7:10, Equal Educational Opportunities. The Superintendent must periodically evaluate any single-gender class or activity to ensure that: (1) it does not rely on overly broad generalizations about the different talents, capabilities, or preferences of either gender, and (2) it continues to comply with State and federal law and with Board policy 7:10, Equal Educational Opportunities.

Development

The Superintendent shall develop a curriculum review program to monitor the current curriculum and promptly suggest changes to make the curriculum more effective, to take advantage of improved teaching methods and materials, and to be responsive to social change, technological developments, student needs, and community expectations.

The Superintendent shall report to the Board as appropriate, the curriculum review program’s efforts to:

Regularly evaluate the curriculum and instructional program.
Ensure the curriculum continues to meet the stated adoption criteria.
Include input from a cross-section of teachers, administrators, parents/guardians, and students, representing all schools, grade levels, disciplines, and specialized and alternative programs.
Coordinate with the process for evaluating the instructional program and materials.

Curriculum Guides and Course Outlines

The Superintendent shall develop and provide subject area curriculum guides to appropriate staff members.

Cross Reference:

6:060 Curriculum Content

6:065 Student Social and Emotional Development

6:070 Teaching About Religions

6:080 Teaching About Controversial Issues

6:100 Using Animals in the Educational Program

6:110 Programs for Students At Risk of Academic Failure and/or Dropping Out of School and Graduation Incentives Program

6:120 Education of Children with Disabilities

6:130 Program for the Gifted

6:135 Accelerated Placement Program