I-1250 © IHA BASIC INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM
I-1250 © IHA The various instructional programs will be developed to maintain a balanced, integrated, and sequential curriculum that will serve the educational needs of all school-aged children in the District. The curriculum will be broad in scope and provide for a wide range in rate, readiness, and potential for learning.
The instructional program shall reflect the importance of language acquisition/reading-skill development as the basic element in each student's education. The first priority of the instructional program will be language acquisition through a planned sequence of reading skills and language experiences beginning in the kindergarten program. The improvement of specific reading skills of students should be continuous throughout their education.
The second priority of the instructional program will be mastery of the fundamentals of mathematics.
Attention to the above-listed priorities shall not result in neglect of other areas of the curriculum.
The instructional program will include planned sequences of instruction, based on standards and aligned as required by statute in order to meet accreditation.
In first, second, and third grades, classes shall provide instruction in:
• reading and language arts skills, including phonemic awareness, phonics and comprehension, and mathematics daily; and shall include
• art, music and a language other than English.
In fourth through eighth grades, instruction that meets academic content and performance standards shall be provided in the following subject areas:
• reading and language arts skills, with an emphasis on writing and editing for at least one (1) year and an emphasis on grammar and writing for at least one (1) year;
• mathematics;
• language other than English;
•communication skills;
• science;
• art;
• music;
• social studies;
• New Mexico history;
• United States history;
• geography; and
•physical fitness.
In high school, curricula shall be aligned with the placement tests administered by two (2) and four (4) year public educational institutions in New Mexico, be comprehensive in nature, and shall be aligned with the following state standards:
• mathematics;
• reading and language arts;
• science; and
• social studies.
The planned program for all students shall also include library instruction, individual study, guidance, other appropriate instructional activities, and all instruction required under state law and Secretary of Public Education regulations.
Adopted: date of manual adoption
LEGAL REF.: 22-2-8.11 NMSA (1978)