The board recognizes that curriculum development must be an on-going process in order to continually address the changing needs and diversity of all students and to fulfill the educational goals of the board. The board further recognizes that while educators must be responsible for developing the curriculum, parents, other governmental agencies, businesses, and members of the public have valuable insights in the type of curriculum needed.
A. Curriculum Development
Curriculum will be developed to meet the requirements of the state and local board. The current statewide instructional standards will provide the foundation for local curriculum development. The Associate Superintendent for curriculum and instruction is responsible for establishing a curriculum committee to coordinate curriculum planning and ensure that the curriculum is aligned with the current statewide instructional standards and includes subject-area competencies for each grade level. Teachers should receive appropriate training so that they may participate in the curriculum development. The committee must include central office administrators, teachers, and school administrators representing the various schools and grade levels. The committee also must seek input from parents, the community, and experts to make fully informed decisions.
The committee may recommend that the board expand subject areas and objectives of the curriculum to meet the educational goals of the board and state and federal laws. The committee also may recommend eliminating subject areas or objectives that are not state-required or related to the educational goals of the board. New course offerings that are not in The Standard Course of Study are to be approved by the program director assigned to that particular grade level or program area, the Superintendent, the Associate Superintendent, and the board. For any new course, a survey of interest must be completed. Once a new course is identified as one to be offered for course credit, the course’s content, objectives, and syllabus, including a pacing guide, will be developed. Instructional materials will be selected and the methods of assessing student learning in the course will be listed.
B. Curriculum Modification by Individual Schools
The principal is the instructional leader of the school and is responsible for determining whether the curriculum meets the needs of the students of the school. Accordingly, the principal or his or her designee may consider modifying the curriculum. Any instructional initiatives undertaken by a school should enhance the Standard Course of Study and should have research to support implementation. If a school wishes to modify the curriculum, it may submit its proposal to the central curriculum committee. The proposal must include a recommendation from the program director assigned to that particular grade level or program level. Unless the curriculum committee has significant concerns about the proposal, the committee will approve the changes so long as the curriculum maintains continuity. If the modifications include: (1) expanding or reducing the subject areas or the objectives, (2) eliminating subject areas or objectives not required by the State, or (3) waiving local board policies, the proposal, after being approved by the curriculum committee, must be submitted to the board for approval as a part of the school improvement plan process. The curriculum committee will ensure that the curriculum continues to be aligned with the current statewide instructional standards.
C. Evaluation
The superintendent will ensure that the methods for meeting curriculum objectives are regularly evaluated for their effectiveness. The board also encourages external curriculum audits by professional curriculum assessors.
Legal References: G.S. 115C-47, -81
Cross References: Goals and Objectives of the Educational Program (policy 3000), School Improvement Plan (policy 3430)
Adopted: January 9, 2006
Revised: April 4, 2011, August 1, 2016