BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT 501

              2120P

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AND ADOPTION

CURRICULUM REVIEW AND IMPROVEMENT

To ensure that the Bellingham School District curriculum is aligned with state standards, the Curriculum Department will conduct regular reviews and improvement of each major curriculum area. Major curriculum areas will be evaluated and adapted to align with state standards at least every seven y ears. An annual report will be made to the Superintendent detailing the curricular reviews completed during each year.   Recommendations resulting from the review will become the basis for curriculum revision or development and focus on improvement of student learning.

CURRICULUM REVIEW

The curriculum review will be coordinated by the Curriculum Department and will involve administrators, teachers, patrons, students, when appropriate, and curriculum staff. The data and information to be reviewed will include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. Program outcomes and student performance standards aligned with state standards
2. Curriculum guides and support materials
3. Student performance data
4. Articulation between and across instructional levels and schools
5. Relevant research and literature
6. Instructional materials
7. Input from staff, students and community
8. State and national standards, regulations and recommendations

CURRICULUM REVISION/DEVELOPMENT, ADOPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION

Additional steps in the process will be detailed and updated annually. The process will include:

1. Curriculum writing to include program outcomes and student performance standards [Board Approval]
2. Instructional materials selection, approval and purchase [Board Approval]
3. Implementation of curriculum and basic instructional materials
4. Performance assessment procedures and tasks
5. Curriculum-related staff development

CURRICULUM GUIDES

Written curriculum guides will be revised or developed for each curricular area reviewed. Curriculum guides will identify program outcomes, course sequences, critical content and skills, and student performance standards. They may include additional support for effective implementation by teachers and administrators. Where possible and useful, the guide will be written to support and encourage interdisciplinary instruction in schools and classrooms. The guides will be aligned with District adopted program materials and student assessment practices. Curriculum guides will be provided to all teachers. Curriculum information will be available in each school, on the Curriculum Department web page and in the Curriculum Department for review by parents, community members and other interested parties. Building administrators are responsible for assuring the effective delivery of district-adopted curriculum by all instructional staff.

NEW COURSE PROCEDURE

Schools, departments, and individual teachers are encouraged to explore and initiate new courses which support the District's goals, align with the State Essential Academic Learning Requirements and are based on teacher and student interest or need. The New Course Proposal Form follows this document. It should be completed by the initiator(s) prior to starting the steps identified below. When proposing the addition of courses that have been previously approved and taught in other district schools, a modified approval process (Steps 2-6) should be followed.

1.  Approval in Concept - Any school, department or individual who desires to initiate a new course must obtain approval in concept from the Curriculum Director prior to starting steps 2-5 below. The initiator(s) and a building administrator meets with the Curriculum Director to present the course for initial review. The presentation includes a general description of course, title, content, student audience and need. Subsequent to the presentation the Director of Curriculum will:

• Approve the course, in concept, to complete remaining steps in the New Course Procedure; or
• Ask for clarification or further development of the concept prior to approval; or
• Involve additional staff in the review process as needed (i.e., Director of Vocational Education; Director of Library, Media, and Technology; Network Services Staff) prior to approval.

Required modifications that result from the approval in concept review must be made prior to course submission for final approval.

2.  Needs Assessment - Schools, departments, or teachers must identify and assess the need for a proposed course. The assessment includes an analysis of how this course supports the District's goals, connects to the Essential Academic Learning Requirements, and (if appropriate) supports content area program outcomes as adopted by the Board. The needs assessment could also include a survey of prospective students or parents showing interest. If this is a high school request, the department must meet and consider the needs assessment information, agree that the proposal has merit, and approve it being forwarded for the next step. At the middle or elementary levels, the needs assessment information may be reviewed by the Site Council. (See Steps 3 and 5 relating to further Site Council involvement.)

3.  Initial School Implication Review - The initiator(s) takes the new course proposal to a school governing/planning body for review. This review could be done by the Site Council or department chair/leadership group that can provide insight into the implications that adding or substituting this course could have for other program(s). Approval from this leadership group is required.

4.  Administration Review - The building administrator(s) reviews the written New Course Proposal Form and attaches the needs assessment documentation to ensure that proponents of the course have demonstrated needs and effectively answered concerns about negative implications for other programs or courses. The site administrator then determines which, if any, other programs are affected and need to be involved in the course development process.

The Director of Library, Media, and Technology must review all proposals for integration of technology with course content.

• If the course involves additional hardware, software or media support the Director of Library, Media, and Technology also reviews the needs assessment and implication data and signs the New Course Proposal Form.
• If the course involves a vocational area or would rely on vocational funding, the Director of Vocational Education also reviews the needs assessment and implication data and signs the New Course Proposal Form.
• If the course involves Special Education students or changes a course that currently has Special Education enrollment, the Director of Special Education also reviews the needs assessment and implication data and signs the New Course Proposal Form.
• If the course involves a student fee for supplies or materials or has liability implications beyond normal classroom activities, the Assistant Superintendent, Business/Operations also reviews the needs assessment and implication data and signs the New Course Proposal Form.

5.  Site Council Review - The administrator takes any new course proposals to the Site Council for review and approval. The Site Council should consider the proposal in light of adopted mission statements and strategic plans, current offerings, needs assessment data, and implications for other programs in the school.

6.  Submit Proposal - The administrator submits the proposal to the Director of Curriculum who will submit it to the Deputy Superintendent. The Deputy Superintendent will forward recommended proposals to the Superintendent for final review and consideration.

TIMELINES

Approval In Concept

Approval in concept must be obtained no later than November 10 for courses to be taught the following year.

Final Submission

The completed New Course Proposal Form with appropriate signatures and accompanying needs assessment documentation should be submitted to the Director of Curriculum by December 15 of the year prior to implementation.

Notification Of Approval

The building administrator will receive written notification of course approval no later than February 1 of the year prior to implementation.

NEW COURSE PROPOSAL TIMELINE

Schools, departments, and individual teachers are encouraged to explore and initiate new courses that support the District's goals, State Essential Academic Learning Requirements and are based on teacher and student interest or need. The New Course Proposal Form should be completed by the initiator(s) prior to starting the steps identified below.

Approved:

Dale E. Kinsley                                                                                  June 26, 2003

Superintendent of Schools

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