Section 500
Policy 504

Educational Services - Curriculum

1. Curriculum refers to the content for the subject areas and courses that create the program of studies of the Platte Canyon School District.

1. The District's curriculum shall be based upon content standards and learning expectations adopted by the Board of Education.
   
   
2. The Districts written curriculum shall include the following content areas:
   
   
   
   1. Language Arts - Reading, Writing, Oral Communication Literature;
      
      
   2. Mathematics;
      
      
   3. Science - Life, Earth, and Physical;
      
      
   4. Geography including the teaching of people and their cultures;
      
      
   5. History including Colorado, United States, and World history. United States history shall include the history, culture and contributions of minorities (American Indians, Hispanic Americans, and African Americans.
      
      
   6. Economics;
      
      
   7. Civics including citizenship responsibilities, local, Colorado and federal government; information as to honor and use of the U.S. flag as required by law; Declaration of Independence; Federal Constitution;
      
      
   8. Foreign Language at the high school level;
      
      
   9. Fine and Technical Arts;
      
      
   10. Health and Physical Education. This education shall include information on the effects of drugs, alcohol and tobacco on human systems, and the psychological, emotional and social dangers of their use. Emphasis shall be placed on the nonuse of such substances as well as the illegal aspects of their use. Parents shall receive notice of the content of health education programs, including any content related to human sexuality, and shall be provided opportunity to exclude their children from the portions of the program pertaining to human sexuality. Driver's education, while not offered by the District , shall be encouraged and District facilities made available when it is offered by other agencies.
       
       
   11. Computer/technological Education.
   
   
   
3. Teachers are responsible for adhering to the curriculum. However, the Board recognizes that modifications and adjustments are necessary to address individual student differences, learning styles, and student abilities.
   
   
4. As the curriculum is taught, each teacher is encouraged to foster skills for life-long learning:
   
   
   
   1. Reading and writing skills;
      
   2. Use of learning resources including library skills;
      
   3. Computer applications and use of technological resources;
      
   4. Contextual learning - practical applications for the knowledge and skills learned;
      
   5. Career and job awareness; connections with the business community;
      
   6. Creative thinking, expression and problem solving.
   
   
   
5. In addition to the written curriculum, each teacher is encouraged to model, promote, and, as situations arise, take the opportunity to provide instruction related to character education including:
   
   
   
   1. Citizenship as school and community members;
      
   2. Responsible behavior (respect for self, others and property);
      
   3. Bullying prevention;
      
   4. Conflict resolution skills;
      
   5. Responsible work habits and ethics.

1. The Superintendent or designee shall establish a process for the evaluation, revision, implementation and monitoring of curricula and instruction that assures the completion of this process for each subject on a five year cycle. Development and revision of the curricular areas listed in Article 2 of this policy, shall include the establishment of the scope of content to be covered as well as a clear sequencing of content by grade and course.
   
   
2. The Board of Education shall adopt curriculum before any curricular component is implemented within the District. Curricular components to be adopted include standards, learning expectations, general subject and level description, time allocations, textbooks, required reading materials, and general assessment provisions for the determination of student performance levels. Pilot programs and/or materials may be tried as part of the adoption process but such pilots must be approved by the Board of Education.

1. Adopted curriculum shall be provided to teachers and administrators. Parents are to be provided copies of the curriculum that pertain to their children's program of studies. Adopted curriculum shall be available for public inspection at the District Office and in school libraries.