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IGA - R - PROCEDURES FOR CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AND ADOPTION

  • Section I: Instruction

IGA-R - PROCEDURES FOR CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AND ADOPTION

In order to improve student achievement, maintain educational excellence, and to incorporate current research in the area of curriculum, the following procedures will be used to develop and propose adoption of courses of study (curriculum framework).

 

It is often likely that the three processes of curriculum development and adoption, evaluation of instructional programs, and the selection of instructional materials/methods will be interdependent. RSU 21 will typically follow these three steps in this sequence; however, under certain circumstances, these steps may be undertaken in a different order.   

 

  1. The adoption of a new curriculum and/or courses of study (often prompted by the adoption of new standards for student learning by the State of Maine).

 

  1. A program evaluation to execute a gap analysis between the new curriculum and current instructional and assessment materials and methods.

 

  1. The selection of new materials and/or methods to eliminate a potential gap as identified in the program evaluation.

 

Roles and Responsibilities

 

The Board is responsible for receiving, reviewing, and approving a course of study proposal recommended by the Superintendent or designee.

 

The Board shall review and provide input to the Superintendent or designees’ recommendations and the respective curriculum content Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and Accountability Review Team’s (Review teams) reports.

 

The Superintendent or designee is responsible for the oversight of the curriculum review process and course of study review, including establishing content Review Teams, reviewing and approving proposals from the Review Teams, reporting to the Board, developing a communication plan to support the curriculum review and implementation process, and developing supporting budgets.

 

The Superintendent or designee is responsible, in partnership with building administration, for monitoring and reporting on student achievement in courses of study and for bringing final recommendations for any changes (additions, deletions, adjustments) to the Board.

Review Teams will work to ensure that the District’s curriculum is aligned to Maine’s system of standards for student learning. Periodic reviews of our learning expectations will be completed by the Review Teams who shall perform a content area-specific curriculum review that, at a minimum, includes the following tasks:

 

  • Identify the standards (learning expectations) currently adopted in law by the State of Maine as part of its system of standards for student learning

 

  • Evaluate how the standards align sequentially from pre-kindergarten to diploma

    • If the standards sufficiently support grade-level, grade-span, and/or pre-kindergarten to diploma pathways, the standards shall act as the curriculum for the respective content area

    • If the standards do not sufficiently support grade-level, grade-span, and/or pre-kindergarten to diploma pathways, a district articulation will be proposed, and this shall be the curriculum

 

  • Describe any potential professional development needs associated with implementing the proposed curriculum

 

  • Develop an accountability and monitoring system for measuring the effectiveness of implementing the curriculum

 

In order to have a variety of stakeholders included in the internal district review, the Review Teams shall be formed as follows:

 

  • Minimum of two educators each from grade span (Pre-K-5, 6-8, and 9-12)

  • Minimum of one administrator each from grade span (Pre-K-5, 6-8, and 9-12)

  • Minimum of one representative each from Special Education, Counselors, and English Learners support, when appropriate

  • Technology representative 

  • Community representative(s) with subject expertise may be included as appropriate

 

Reporting the Results

 

Once a Review Team has completed its work, it shall prepare a written proposal that includes recommendations, which shall be presented to the Superintendent. When the Superintendent approves of the proposed curriculum, the Superintendent or designee shall present, the proposal to the District Curriculum Committee.

 

In order to have a variety of stakeholders included, the District Curriculum Committee membership should consist of:

 

  • 2  Board Members

  • 3 Community Representatives (as available)

  • 2 High School Students

  • 1 Pre-K-2 Teacher

  • 1 3-5 Teacher

  • 1 6-8 Teacher

  • 1-9-12 Teacher

  • 1 Special Education Representative

  • 1 Technology Representative

  • 1 Building Administrator

  • Assistant Superintendent  

 

The Superintendent or designee shall make a full report to the Board for the adoption of the course of study after the District Curriculum Committee has reviewed the proposal and made recommendations to the Superintendent.

 

Legal Reference: 20-A M.R.S.A. §§ 1001(6), 4701-4729, 6209

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

 

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

IGA- Curriculum Development and Adoption

 

Adopted: 02/04/2019

  • Section I