File:  IG - Curriculum Development

Curriculum is an organized plan, developed at the local level, which includes adopted instructional resources and materials, and articulates a sequence of instructional units.  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).  The district will ensure a guaranteed and viable curriculum where each student has an opportunity for a comprehensive, equitable, rigorous, standards-based education across all grade-levels and in all subject areas.

The Board of Education delegates to the Superintendent, or his/her designee(s), the responsibility to ensure that 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.  Successful curriculum review and development is a collaborative enterprise involving impacted district staff members (or a representative group of impacted staff), in partnership with stakeholders, and carried out with district leadership utilizing the appropriate district processes. 

A curriculum cycle shall 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 local data for all student populations, educational equity, curriculum breadth and depth, and congruence of instructional strategies and assessments with current research, frameworks, practices and the district's academic standards.

During the curriculum review, instructional resources and materials may be considered for purchase (see Policy IJ).

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 recommended by the superintendent, or his/her designee, to the Board for its consideration and approval.

Adopted:  March 21, 2019
Revised:  April 14, 2022

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

AF, Just and Equitable Education

IJ, Instructional Materials and Resources

JB - Equal Educational Opportunities

IHA - Instructional Programs

IHBA - Special Education/Programs for Students with Disabilities