Adopted: MSBA/MASA Model Policy 603
Revised: Rev. 2023
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
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.
IV. DISTRICT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
A. The
school board must establish an advisory committee to ensure active community
participation in all phases of planning and improving the instruction and
curriculum affecting state and district academic standards.
B. The
District Advisory Committee, to the extent possible, must reflect the diversity
of the district and its school sites, include teachers, parents, support staff,
students, and other community residents, and provide translation to the extent
appropriate and practicable. Whenever possible, parents and other community
residents must comprise at least two-thirds of committee members.
C. The
District Advisory Committee must pursue community support to accelerate the
academic and native literacy and achievement of English learners with varied
needs, from young children to adults, consistent with Minnesota Statutes,
section 124D.59, subdivisions 2 and 2a.
D. The
school district may establish site teams as subcommittees of the District Advisory
Committee.
E. The
District Advisory Committee must recommend to the school board
1. rigorous
academic standards, student achievement goals and measures consistent with
Minnesota Statutes, sections 120B.11, subdivision 1a, 120B.022 subdivisions 1a and 1b,
and 120B.35;
2. district
assessments;
3. means
to improve students' equitable access to effective and more diverse teachers;
4. strategies to
ensure the curriculum is rigorous, accurate, antiracist, culturally
sustaining, and reflects the diversity of the student population;
5. strategies
to ensure that curriculum and learning and work environments validate, affirm,
embrace, and integrate the cultural and community strengths of all racial and
ethnic groups; and
6. program
evaluations.
F. School
sites may expand upon district evaluations of instruction, curriculum,
assessments, or programs.
V. SCHOOL SITE
TEAM
Each school must
establish a site team to develop and implement strategies and education
effectiveness practices to improve instruction, curriculum, cultural
competencies, including cultural awareness and cross-cultural communication,
and student achievement at the school site. The site team must include an equal
number of teachers and administrators and at least one parent. The site team
advises the board and the advisory committee about developing the annual budget
and creates an instruction and curriculum improvement plan to align curriculum,
assessment of student progress, and growth in meeting state and district
academic standards and instruction.
VI. CURRICULUM
DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
A. Students who
do not meet or exceed Minnesota academic standards, as measured by the
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments 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 the requirements of Minnesota
Statutes, section 120A.20, subdivision 1(c).
A student’s plan under this section shall continue while the student is
enrolled.
B. 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.
C. The
superintendent shall have discretionary authority to develop guidelines and
directives to implement school board policy relating to curriculum development.
Legal References: Minn. Stat. § 120A.20 (Admission to Public
School)
Minn. Stat. § 120B.10 (Findings; Improving Instruction and
Curriculum)
Minn. Stat. § 120B.11 (School District Process for Reviewing
Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Achievement; Striving for the World’s Best
Workforce)
Minn. Stat. § 120B.12 (Reading Proficiently No Later than the End of
Grade 3)
Minn. Stat. § 120B.125(f) (Planning for Students’ Successful Transition
to Postsecondary Education and Employment; Personal Learning Plans)
Minn. Stat. § 124D.59 (Definitions)
Minn. Rules Part 3500.0550 (Inclusive Educational Program)
Minn. Rules Parts 3501.0640-3501.0655 (Academic Standards
for Language Arts)
Minn. Rules Parts 3501.0700-3501.0745 (Academic Standards
for Mathematics)
Minn. Rules Part 3501.0820 (Academic Standards for the Arts)
Minn. Rules Parts 3501.0900-3501.0955 (Academic Standards in
Science)
Minn. Rules Parts 3501.1200-3501.1210 (Academic Standards
for English Language Development)
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. (Every Student Succeeds Act)
Cross References: MSBA/MASA Model Policy 604 (Instructional
Curriculum)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 605 (Alternative Programs)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 613 (Graduation Requirements)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 614 (School District Testing Plan and
Procedure)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 615 (Testing Accommodations,
Modifications, and Exemptions for IEPs, Section 504 Plans, and LEP Students)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 616 (School District System
Accountability)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 618 (Assessment of Student
Achievement)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 619 (Staff Development for Standards)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 620 (Credit for Learning)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 623 (Mandatory Summer School
Instruction)