Curriculum review is not merely about evaluating our curricular options; it’s about fully understanding the meaning and complexity of the standards we are working with. We need to ensure both vertical and horizontal alignment to establish a guaranteed and viable curriculum for our students. This will take time, in fact recommendations from MDE suggest at least a 2-3 year timeline to conduct this work fully, from deconstructing standards, selecting/adapting/creating curriculum, to implementation. 

We will spend considerable time deconstructing the anchor standards and immersing ourselves in the benchmarks. This work will also include crafting a clear vision for our departments. It is essential to recognize that without a deep understanding of the standards, the depth of knowledge and skill development required of students, and the vertical alignment of benchmarks, any curriculum review will be isolated and lack the proper focus on transfer skill development. 

The Director of Teaching and Learning is responsible for curriculum and program review and development. The Director will keep the school board informed of all state-mandated curriculum changes, and periodically present recommended discretionary changes for board review and approval. 

1. The review and development process will be completed through a curriculum cycle in alignment with the MDE curricular review cycle. The review and development process will:

2. Use relevant data and research to inform the process;

3. Provide the opportunity to purchase, design new or revise curriculum and programs; and

4. Identify necessary reductions or eliminations in current curriculum and programs.

The Curriculum Advisory Committee will be updated in the review and development process. Additionally, staff, parents/guardians, community members, students, and where appropriate, consultants, will assist in the review and development process. The selection determination will be based on the needs and demands of the curricular area or program under review within the cycle. 

The review and development process will address:

1. Review and articulation of courses of study within the content area (typically grades K-12)

2. Determine learner outcomes and align local, state, and/or national standards for each course at each grade/content level

3. Determine continuing evaluation of program(s) implementation with students and teachers, including a program for ongoing monitoring of student progress

4. Provide for specific, particular, and special needs of all members of the student community

5. Meet all applicable requirements of the Minnesota Department of Education and the federal Every Student Succeeds Act and all applicable state and federal laws. 

All district curriculum and program additions and reductions will be approved by the school board, after being given sufficient time for review. All minor adjustments/modifications to meet course outcomes and assessment may be done with the approval from the superintendent. 

Funding sources will be defined, ensuring that the program(s) are financially supported including the implementation and ongoing support for teacher development and student materials and curricular material replacement.

Modification in the instructional delivery to a program or course will address the following:

1. Identification of the rationale for modification, including added value and supportive research/data;

2. Completion of an approval process determined by the Director of Teaching and Learning and the site principal; and

3. Communication of the modification to the Superintendent for approval.

Curriculum/program reduction will address:

1. Rationale for reduction or elimination;

2. Identification of the required standards that will be eliminated and what opportunities exist for students to complete these standards where applicable; and

3. Identify the transition plan for elimination of the course/curriculum.