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Maine RSU 21

Maine Regional School Unit 21

Arundel · Kennebunk · Kennebunkport

IGA - CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AND ADOPTION

  • Section I: Instruction

IGA - Curriculum Development and Adoption 

For the purpose of this policy “curriculum” is defined as a written document that sets forth the learning expectations for all students for all content areas of Maine’s system of Learning Results, as well as other content areas specified by the Board. The curriculum shall reflect continuous, sequential, and specific instruction aligned with the content areas of the Learning Results. 

The Board recognizes that curriculum development, review, and evaluation is an ongoing process and that programs and practices may need to be adjusted or revised to meet educational standards, to reflect community aspirations and values, and to serve the best interests of students. 

Through its curriculum, the schools will provide all students with equitable opportunities to courses and/or learning experiences that support multiple pathways for learning, accommodate a variety of learning styles, provide multiple options for students to demonstrate proficiency, and prepare students for responsible citizenship and success in a global society. 

In the development, revision, and evaluation of curriculum, the Board expects that: 

  1. A Curriculum Committee will be established to support the Superintendent. 

  2. School administrators and staff will be sensitive to initiatives and changing conditions that may require modifications in the curriculum. 

  3. All programs will be subject to ongoing review and evaluation to ensure that they meet the instructional needs of students. 

  4. Furthermore, the RSU will undertake extensive curriculum revision when needed. 

  5. The Superintendent/designee will take the lead in the ongoing curriculum development and review process and in the alignment of curriculum with educational standards and with advances in knowledge, educational research, and “best practices.” The Superintendent/designee will report periodically on curriculum development and revision in the district to the Board. 

The Superintendent/designee is expected to develop plans and timelines as necessary for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the curriculum. The Superintendent is expected to make recommendations to the Board, consistent with Board policy, in regard to professional development, instructional materials, and the resources needed for curriculum implementation. Curriculum Committee

  1. ROLE

The role of the Curriculum Committee (Committee) is to provide leadership, information, and recommendations to the Superintendent regarding the District’s curriculum issues, systems, and procedures. 

  1. MEMBERSHIP 

Membership of the Curriculum Committee shall consist of no more than five (5) members of the Board. The Superintendent or their designee shall serve as the Administrative Liaison to the committee. RSU 21 encourages the regular participation of community members. The expertise and input from our community are vital to the decision making process of the Board and its Standing and Advisory Committees. 

  1. RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Curriculum Committee is responsible for clarifying curriculum issues, researching information, and developing recommendations on curriculum matters for action that the entire Board will subsequently consider. 

  1. The Committee shall meet at least quarterly.

  2. The Committee will establish timelines for curriculum review and establish annual curriculum review goals. 

  3. The Committee will assist the Superintendent or their designee in setting curriculum priorities for the annual budget process. 

  4. The Committee will recommend strategies for ensuring community input to the curriculum review process. 

  5. The Committee will review the work of ad hoc curriculum teams and will provide recommendations about adoption of that work to the Superintendent.

  6. Any item referred to a standing committee by the Board shall be reported on at the next regular Board meeting whenever practicable. 

The presence of a majority of the Board members of the standing committee shall constitute a quorum for voting purposes.  

For any matter on its agenda, a standing committee may by majority vote of members present, or by consensus, agree to make recommendations to the full Board. Recommendations may be in the form of a proposed motion and/or a report. A standing committee may also forward a matter under discussion to the full Board with no recommendation. 

Standing committee reports will be included as an agenda item for all regular Board meetings. 

Any item referred to a standing committee by the Board shall be reported on at the next regular Board meeting. The standing committee’s report should indicate work completed or progress made to date. 

The Committee Chair or designee shall provide a monthly written report to the Board at regular Board meetings. 

Standing committee minutes are public information, subject to the Freedom of Access Legal Reference: 20-A M.R.S.A. §§ 1001(6), 4701-4729, 6209 

Me. Dept. of Ed. Rule Chapters 125, 127 

Law. Legal Reference: 1 M.R.S.A. § 401 et seq. 

Cross Reference: BDE- Board of School Directors Committees 

Cross Reference: ADF-School Unit Commitment to the Learning Results IHA–Basic Instructional Program 

IJJ-Instructional and Library-Media Materials Selection 

IL –Evaluation of Instructional Programs 

Amended: 08/28/95 

Reviewed: 12/08/97 

Amended: 04/08/02 

Amended: 10/24/05 

Amended: 09/22/08 

Reviewed: 01/25/10 

Amended: 02/05/19 

Adopted: 12/20/21

Amended: 10/30/23




 

  • Section I