Curriculum and Instruction Policy 6200 Will Provide the Basis for an Interesting Round of Discussions as I Move My Book, >Understanding the Minneapolis Public Schools: Current Condition, Future Prospect<, into Final Draft

Among the major policies of the Minneapolis Public Schools is Curriculum and Instruction Policy 6200, which provides the official basis for the development of curriculum at the district.  This policy makes reference to a District Curriculum Advisory Committee, with which the superintendent is supposed to work to develop and review local academic standards, student achievement goals and measures, assessments, and program evaluations.

 

Superintendent Graff may be moving toward greater faithfulness to this policy with the Districtwide Comprehensive Assessment and Design undertaken by his administration;  but in past years, this policy must have been widely ignored, finessed, or disregarded by principals and teachers at the various sites.  Although there have been Minnesota State Standards since 2004, these are not being taught according to any acceptable standard of student knowledge and skill acquisition, especially at the K-5 level.

 

Graff admits in the Comprehensive Design that no acceptable standard can be reached during this academic year 2018-2019 but vows to start an improvement process whereby a well-rounded education is imparted to students beginning in the 2019-2020 academic year and by the 2021-2022 academic year is full realized.  Past failures of the Minneapolis Public Schools to impart anything remotely resembling an excellent education puts a tremendous burden of proof on the Graff administration.

 

Review this fascinating document, peruse this blog for my many comments on curricular matters, and anticipate many more in the run-up to publication of >Understanding the Minneapolis Public Schools:  Current Condition, Future Prospect next month (November 2018):

 

Curriculum and Instruction Policy 6200

 

Original Adoption: 04/25/1967 Effective Date: 11/28/2012

Revision Dates: 09/25/1973, 12/16/1975, 08/13/1985, 5/24/2011, 11/27/2012

 

I. PURPOSE

 

The District recognizes that a curriculum with clearly established learning targets is a necessity in fulfilling the district’s mission and reaching its academic goals. Curriculum is the collective term for learning materials used in instruction. An established curriculum enables the school district to make maximum use of its financial and human resources to affect the academic success of its students. The purpose of this policy is to establish the direction for the continuous review, adoption and improvement of the school curriculum for the benefit of our students.

 

II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY

 

A. The superintendent shall be responsible for:

 

1. curriculum development;

 

2. determining the most effective way of conducting research on the school district’s curriculum needs;

 

3. establishing a long range curriculum development program, and

 

4. determining timelines that provide for periodic review of curriculum for each content area.

 

B. Curriculum, instruction and assessments for Pre-Kindergarten through graduation shall be aligned to achieve a goal of graduating students who are college and career ready. Curriculum and programs shall be:

 

1. centrally developed in alignment with State and National Standards or centrally approved within a District approved program;

 

2. delivered with fidelity by the teaching staff;

 

3. assessed with assessments aligned with the designed curriculum.

 

C. A student with special needs shall be provided the opportunity to meet all State standards.

 

1. Accommodations and modifications shall be written in the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 Accommodation Plan.

 

2. The decision(s) regarding accommodations and modifications shall be made in accordance with District Policy by the student’s IEP or 504 advisory team, with written parent consent.

 

D. A student who receives English Language Learner (ELL) services shall be provided the opportunity to meet all State standards.

 

E. The superintendent shall keep the school board informed of all state-mandated curriculum changes, as well as recommended discretionary changes.

 

 

F. The superintendent shall periodically present recommended modifications of curriculum for school board review and approval.

 

III. RESPONSIBILITY

 

A. The Superintendent shall establish a District Curriculum Advisory Committee as a Superintendent’s Advisory to assist in the development and review of :

 

1. Local academic standards;

 

2. Student achievement goals and measures;

 

3. Assessments; and

 

4. Program evaluations.

 

B. The Superintendent is authorized to promulgate regulations for the implementation of this policy.

 

Legal References:

 

20 U.S.C. §6301 et seq. (No Child Left Behind Act)

Minn. Stat. §120B.02 (Educational Expectations for Minnesota’s Students)

Minn. Stat. §120B.11 (School District Process for Reviewing Curriculum, Instruction and Student Achievement)

Minn. Stat. §123B.02 (General Powers of Independent School Districts)

Minn. Stat. §128D. 02 (Board of Education Like Independent District’s)

Minn. Stat. §128D. 04 (District Like Independent District)

Minn. Rules Part 3500.0550 (Inclusive Educational Program)

Minn. Rules Part 3501.0010 -3501.0180 (Graduation Standards – Reading and Mathematics)

Minn. Rules Parts 3501-0200 -3501.0290 (Graduation Standards – Written Composition)

Minn. Rules Parts 3501.0505 - 3501.0635 (K-12 Standards)

Cross References:

MPS Policy 2305 (Superintendent Advisories)

MPS Policy 6000 (Mission of the Educational Program)

MPS Policy 6110 (Academic Goals)

MPS Policy 6276 (Curriculum Evaluation)