6:60 - Curriculum

Policy 6:60

Instruction

Curriculum

The Board of Education directs the Superintendent and his/her designees to develop and maintain a curriculum program consistent with the philosophy and objectives approved by the Board and consistent with the statutory requirements of the Illinois School Code.

Within the scope of Board-delegated authority, the Superintendent and his/her designees shall develop courses of study, curriculum guides, textbook adoptions and pilot curriculum projects, and shall select instructional materials and equipment.

The administration, in conjunction with other professional staff, will keep the Board of Education informed of any curricular concerns or curriculum studies, developments, pilot programs or changes of a material nature upon the initiative of the Superintendent or in response to a request by the Board of Education.

District 39 strives to provide curriculum that extends beyond basics legal requirements. At a minimum the curriculum shall contain instruction on subjects required by State statute or regulation as follows:

  1. In kindergarten through grade 8, subjects include: (a) English Language Arts (ELA) including reading and writing, (b) other communication skills, (c) science, (d) mathematics, (e) social studies, (f) art, (g) music, and (h) health education including drug and substance abuse prevention. The Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/10- 20.53) requires the Board of Education to promote a reading opportunity of 60 minutes per day for all students in kindergarten through grade 3 whose reading levels are one grade level or more below their current grade.
  2. In grades 7 and 8, as well as in interscholastic athletic programs, steroid abuse prevention shall be taught.
  3. In the kindergarten through grade 8 curriculum, violence prevention and conflict resolution will be taught.
  4. In kindergarten through grade 8, age appropriate instruction on Internet safety shall be taught.
  5. In kindergarten through grade 8 character education; disability awareness, history, and rights movement; and citizenship values (including the U.S. and Illinois Constitution, proper display and use of the flag, and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance daily in each school) shall be taught.
  6. In kindergarten through grade 8 a developmentally, age appropriate and sequential curriculum in physical education shall be taught. Unless otherwise exempted, all students are required to engage in a physical education course as required by state law. For exemptions see Policy 7:260, Exemption from Physical Activity.
  7. In the kindergarten through grade 8 curriculum, conservation of natural resources shall be taught.
  8. During kindergarten through grade 8 years, the following United States history topics shall be taught at the appropriate grade level: (a) the principles of representative government, (b) the Constitutions of the U.S. and Illinois, (c) the role of the U.S. in world affairs, (d) the role of labor unions, and (e) the role and contributions of ethnic groups, including but not limited to, the African Americans, Albanians, Asian Americans, Bohemians, Czechs, French, Germans, Hispanics, Hungarians, Irish, Italians, Lithuanians, Polish, Russians, Scots, and Slovakians in the history of this country and State.

    In addition, all schools shall hold an educational program on the United States Constitution on Constitution Day, each September 17, commemorating the September 17, 1787; signing of the Constitution. However, when September 17 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, Constitution Day shall be held during the preceding or following week.
  9. In grade 7, students shall view a Congressional Medal of Honor film made by the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.
  10. In the kindergarten through grade 8 years, the curriculum will include a unit of instruction at the appropriate grade level on: the history and significance of the Holocaust and crimes of genocide; the history, struggles, and contributions of women; and Black History, including the history of the African slave trade, slavery in America, and the vestiges of slavery in this country, as well as the struggles and contributions of African-Americans.
  11. In all schools, health education, including nutrition, shall be taught. The Superintendent shall implement a comprehensive health education program in accordance with state law.
  12. In all schools, career/vocational education shall be taught. A career awareness and exploration program shall be available at all grade levels.


Adopted: November 10, 1997
Revised: January 23, 2012; October 23, 2017

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