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DE500 – Curriculum Development

  • Effective: 8/27/1969
  • Revision: 9/8/2009
  • Reviewed: 12/10/2013
  1. Board Directive
    Increasing student growth and  achievement is one of the primary goals of the Board of Education. The Board recognizes that curriculum development and revision are an integral part of the educational process and are essential if the school system is to offer educational programs that will increase growth and achievement and accomplish the following to meet student and community needs:

    1. Provide appropriate, effective professional development for teachers which will promote high-level student growth and achievement.
    2. Support effective coordination and articulation of school learning experiences.
    3. Provide instruction that is relevant and responsive to the ever-changing world.
      Therefore, the Board commissions the Administration of the District to develop programs, procedures and goals to assist in the development and improvement of curriculum.  These curriculum development procedures should involve teachers, administrators, the Board, students and citizens of the community, as the responsibility for success is one that is mutually shared.  Curriculum, in this context, is used to refer to all planned learning experiences of students both in class and out of class which are conducted by the school.
  2. Administrative Policy
    Instruction is the primary function of the District; therefore the Administration delegates the major responsibility for curriculum development to the Teaching and Learning Department under the direction of the Administrator of Teaching and Learning.  The Administrator of Teaching and Learning will work cooperatively with the Administrators of Schools to direct and facilitate activities that will upgrade and keep current the curriculum policies, guidelines and programs in the District.

    1. Master planning for the entire school system shall be developed and shall provide for evaluation, research and experimentation as well as systematic processes and orderly procedures and practices.
    2. Curriculum development shall be implemented for specific purposes to meet needs identified by the District.
    3. The principal is the educational/instructional leader of the school.  Implementation of curriculum and instruction in the classroom and in the individual schools shall take place under the direction of the school principal and shall include staff development, planning, and supervision of professional personnel.
    4. Curriculum decisions will be based upon careful study and consideration of four (4) major areas:
      1. Improvement of instruction with accountability for student learning and student results;
      2. The learner and the implementation of best practices associated with the learning process according to valid and reliable research and evidence;
      3. New developments in subject, subject fields, and in specific subject competency; and
      4. Formative and summative data.
    5. Curriculum development shall include the following individuals and groups:
      1. District administrators, consultants, and staff specialists shall provide leadership in master planning, coordination of programs and dissemination of information.
      2. Principals and teachers shall engage in local school improvement activities that  align curriculum with effective and appropriate instruction, and formative and summative assessments.
      3. Students’ needs, abilities, interests and talents shall be included in the development of curriculum designs.
      4. Parents/guardians and/or patrons may be consulted regarding major curriculum changes and shall be included on ad hoc study groups.
      5. State specialists, university instructors and other experts may be used as resource persons when necessary.
    6. To avoid unnecessary duplication of curriculum effort and to expedite the exchange of curriculum ideas, the Administrator of Teaching and Learning shall serve as the District curriculum clearinghouse and shall, with the assistance of Administrators of Schools, coordinate school-level curricular projects or activities.
    7. The Administrator of Teaching and Learning with the assistance of the Administrators of Schools shall establish procedures and guidelines ensuring the orderly formation, coordination and communication of curriculum development activities to principals and teachers.