School Board Policy 603 -
Curriculum Development

I. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide direction for continuous review and improvement of the school curriculum.

II. General Statement of Policy

Curriculum development shall be directed toward the fulfillment of the goals and objectives of the education program of the school district.

III. Responsibility

A. The superintendent shall be responsible for curriculum development and for determining the most effective way of conducting research on the school district’s curriculum needs and establishing a long-range curriculum development program. Timelines shall be determined by the superintendent that will provide for periodic reviews of each curriculum area.

B. A district advisory committee shall provide assistance at the request of the superintendent. The advisory committee membership shall be a reflection of the community and, to the extent possible, shall reflect the diversity of the district and its learning sites, and shall have parent/guardian, teacher, support staff, student, community resident, and administration representation.

C. Within the ongoing process of curriculum development, the following needs shall be addressed:

1. Provide for articulation of courses of study from Kindergarten through grade twelve.

2. Identify objectives for each course and at each elementary grade level.

3. Provide for continuing evaluation of programs for the purpose of attaining the school district mission.

4. Provide a program for ongoing monitoring of student achievement and progress.

5. Provide for specific, particular, and special needs of all members of the student community.

6.  Develop a local literacy plan to have every child reading at or above grade level no later than the end of grade 3, including English learners, and teachers providing comprehensive, scientifically based reading instruction consistent with statute. 

7. Integrate required and elective course standards in the scope and sequence of the district curriculum.

8. Meet all requirements of the Minnesota Department of Education and federal law.

D.  Students identified as not reading at grade level by the end of kindergarten, grade 1, and grade 2 must be screened for characteristics of dyslexia. Students in grade 3 or higher who demonstrate a reading difficulty to a classroom teacher must be screened for characteristics of dyslexia, unless a different reason for the reading difficulty has been identified.  See Minn. Stat. § 120B.12, Subd. 2. 

E.   Students who do not meet or exceed Minnesota academic standards, as measured by the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment that are administered during high school, shall be informed that admission to a public school is free and available to any resident under 21 years of age or who meets all requirements of Minn. Stat. § 120A.20. Subd 1 (c). A student's plan under this section shall continue while the student is enrolled. 

F.  The superintendent shall be responsible for keeping the school board informed of all state-mandated curriculum changes, as well as recommended discretionary changes and for periodically presenting recommended modifications for school board review and approval.

G. The superintendent shall have discretionary authority to develop guidelines and directives to implement school board policy relating to curriculum development.

Legal References:
Minn. Stat. § 120B.10 (Findings; Improving Instruction and Curriculum)
Minn. Stat. § 120B.11 (School District Process)
Minn. Stat. § 120B.12 (Reading Proficiently no Later than the End of Grade 3) 
Minn. Stat. § 120B.125 (f) (Planning for Students' Successful)
Minn. Rule 3500.0550 (Inclusive Educational Program)
Minn. Rules Parts 3501.0640-3501.0655 (Graduation Standards – Language Arts)
Minn. Rules Parts 3501.0700-3501.0745 (Graduation Standards – Mathematics)
Minn. Rules Parts 3501.0800-3501.0815 (Graduation Standards – Arts)
Minn. Rules Parts 3501.1000-3501.1190 (Graduation-Required Assessment for Diploma) (repealed Minn. L. 2013, Ch. 116, Art. 2, § 22)
Minn. Rules parts 3501.1300-3501.1345 (Academic Standards for Social Studies)
Minn. Rules Parts 3501.1400-3501.1410 (Academic Standards for Physical Education)
20 U.S.C. § 6301, et seq.

Cross References:
WBLASB Policy 604 (Instructional Curriculum)
WBLASB Policy 605 (Alternative Programs)
WBLASB Policy 613 (Graduation Requirements)
WBLASB Policy 614 (School District Testing Plan and Procedure)
WBLASB Policy 615 (Testing Accommodations, Modifications, and Exemptions for IEPs, Section 504 Plan, and LEP Students)
WBLASB Policy 616 (School District System Accountability)
WBLASB Policy 618 (Assessment of Student Achievement)
WBLASB Policy 619 (Staff Development for Standards)
WBLASB Policy 620 (Credit for Learning)