CHAPTER 2.00 - CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

4.02 The Curriculum

(1) The District curriculum shall be determined by:

(a) Student performance standards, curriculum frameworks, and assessment tests;

(b) Students’ needs as determined by studies and surveys;

(c) Continuous evaluation of curriculum effectiveness in meeting students’ needs in the District; and,

(d) Florida Statutes, State Board of Education rules and the School Board.

(2) The Superintendent may appoint such committees and special study groups as may be necessary to assist in determining the educational needs of the District.

(3) The Superintendent shall designate an appropriate staff member who is responsible for the development and coordination of the total curriculum of the District.

(4) The program of instruction shall include, but not be limited to:

(a) Elementary Level Curriculum - reading, language arts, social studies, science, health, physical education, music, art, mathematics, character education, and such other disciplines that may be considered necessary to a comprehensive elementary school program. The curriculum shall include instruction in study and work habits, critical thinking skills, health and hygiene, citizenship, career orientation, the establishment of purposes, and the development of character and morality;

(b) Middle Level Curriculum - Mathematics, language arts, reading, science, social studies, music, art, health, physical education, exploratory career education, computer literacy if resources are available, and critical thinking skills. Activities which offer desirable experiences such as consumer education, band, drama, creative writing, athletics, and student government shall be promoted. Instruction in the use of the library and counseling services shall be provided;

(c) Senior Level Curriculum - Will consist of courses which meet the needs of all students. Both college preparatory and terminal courses shall be offered at levels which will challenge each student to perform in accordance with his/her ability.

1. Library instruction and counseling services shall be provided.

2. A program of student government, student publications, drama, music, social activities, and athletics shall be provided for the development of well-rounded citizens.

3. Character education shall include instruction on the development of leadership, interpersonal, organization, and research skills; workplace ethics and law; conflict resolution; skills that enable students to become resilient and self-motivated; and skills which assist students to become employed.

(d) A student’s progression from one grade to another shall be determined, in part, upon proficiency in reading, writing, science, and mathematics.

(5) The Superintendent or designee shall make an annual report to the School Board each year, giving the status of the instructional program in meeting the District’s educational goals and objectives and recommendations for improving the curriculum.

(6) The responsibility and right of an instructional staff member to present information of a controversial nature is hereby recognized. The teacher shall not present controversial material or issues which are not directly or closely related to the subject area being taught. In presenting controversial materials on an issue, the teacher shall present all sides of the issue without bias or prejudice and shall permit each student to arrive

at his/her own conclusions.

(7) A course description shall be presented for School Board approval before any course or unit in the objective study of the Bible or a comparative study of religion, as provided in Florida Statutes, is initiated in any school.  The description shall detail the purpose of the course, the materials to be used, grade location, length of the course, and credit value. No teacher shall present, or permit to be presented, any material which ridicules any religious sect, belief, or faith.

(8) Prior to initiating any course or unit of instruction in human growth and development, a course outline and complete description shall be presented for School Board approval. This rule does not preclude the teaching of personal cleanliness in health and physical education classes or in the elementary grades, or the teaching of matters relating to sex education as provided in state-adopted textbooks, or information relating to sex education as required other courses using duly-adopted textbooks and materials where sex education is an incidental part of the course.

(9) It shall be the responsibility of the school to make students aware of the dangers and consequences of sexually transmitted diseases. The manner, scope, and levels at which this information will be presented shall be determined by the Superintendent or designee in consultation with instructional supervisors and principal(s). Prior to initiating any such unit of instruction, the proposed program, the materials to be used, and other essential information shall be presented to the School Board for approval. When any questionable information is to be viewed by mixed groups, the sexes may be separated for presentation of materials.

(10) Age-appropriate information about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, and other sexually transmissible diseases shall be taught in Grades K-12. Instruction shall address causes, transmission, and prevention and shall be approved by the School Board.

(11) The Superintendent or designee shall review curriculum frameworks which are prepared and distributed by the Florida Department of Education and related to AIDS education. If the curriculum frameworks are inconsistent with locally determined curriculum for AIDS education or are not reflective of local values and concerns, the Superintendent shall advise the School Board and provide recommendations for instructional activities.

(12) A student shall be exempt from instructional activities on reproductive health or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) provided his/her parent(s), as defined by Florida Statutes, files a written request with the school principal.

(13) In compliance with Florida Statute 1003.46, throughout instruction in Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, sexually transmitted diseases, or health education, when such instruction and course material contains instruction in human sexuality, a school shall:

(a) Teach abstinence from sexual activity outside of marriage as the expected standard for all school-age children while teaching the benefits of monogamous heterosexual marriage.

(b) Emphasize that abstinence from sexual activity is a certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, including Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and other associated health problems.

(c) Teach that each student has the power to control personal behavior and encourage students to base actions on reasoning, self-esteem, and respect for others.

(d) Provide instruction and material that is appropriate for the grade and age of the student.

(14) The Superintendent or designee shall develop a physical education program to implement the requirements of Florida Statutes.

(15) When dealing with political issues, the positions of all parties will be presented on a nonpartisan basis. Partisan political literature will not be distributed in schools. However, schools may give out information relating to School District taxes or the need for construction bonds.

(16) All course materials and verbal or visual instruction shall conform to the requisites and intent of all Florida law and the state constitution. All instructional materials, including teachers’ manuals, films, tapes, or other supplementary instructional material, shall be available for inspection by parents of the children engaged in such classes.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 1001.41; 1001.42, F.S.

LAWS IMPLEMENTED: 1000.21; 1001.43; 1003.42; 1003.4203; 1003.45; 1003.455; 1003.46; 1006.28; 1006.29; 1008.25; 1010.305, F.S.

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION RULE: 6A-1.09412; 6A-1.09414



History:

Adopted: January 14, 1999

Revision Date(s): October 9, 2001; October 7, 2003; November 22, 2005

February 9, 2010; February 10, 2015; October 10, 2017