File: IG - Curriculum Development

NOTE: While Colorado school districts are not required by law to adopt a policy on this subject, some content in this sample reflects legal requirements school districts must follow. This sample contains the content/language that CASB believes best meets the intent of the law. However, the district should consult with its own legal counsel to determine appropriate language that meets local circumstances and needs.

This policy is intended to replace former policies IGA, Curriculum Development; IGD, Curriculum Adoption; and IGF, Curriculum Review.

The Board of Education is required by state law to determine the educational programs to be carried on in the schools of the district. The district´s curriculum shall be aligned with the district´s academic standards to ensure that each student will have the educational experiences needed to achieve the standards or complete the requirements and goals as listed on a student´s Individualized Education Program (IEP), which may include modified standards.

Successful curriculum development is a cooperative enterprise involving impacted district staff members, carried out under the superintendent´s leadership and using multiple resources. Carefully conducted and supervised experimentation for curriculum development is also desirable.

All new programs and courses of study as well as the elimination and extensive alteration of the content of current programs and courses shall be presented by the superintendent to the Board for its consideration and action.

The district´s curriculum shall be reviewed at regular intervals to ensure that the curriculum and educational programs are effective and aligned with the district´s academic standards and educational objectives. Curriculum review committees shall include administrators, teachers, parents, accountability members and others deemed appropriate by the Board or superintendent.

Regulations shall be developed that outline the courses to be reviewed, the sequence of course review, the specific activities involved in curriculum review and the areas to be included in the review.

The review shall include consideration of achievement results for all student populations, educational equity, curriculum breadth and depth, and congruence of instructional strategies and assessments with the district´s academic standards.

(Adoption date)

LEGAL REFS.: Colo. Const. Art. IX, Sect. 15 (Board has control of instruction within the district)

C.R.S. 22-7-1013 (2) (adoption of academic standards; alignment of curriculum)

C.R.S. 22-20-101 et seq. (Exceptional Children´s Educational Act)

C.R.S. 22-20-201 et seq. (education of gifted children)

C.R.S. 22-32-109 (1)(t) (Board duty to determine educational program and prescribe textbooks)

C.R.S. 22-32-110 (1)(r) (Board power to exclude immoral or pernicious materials and books)

CROSS REF.: AEA, Standards Based Education

[Revised November 2015]