Each content area shall have an articulated curriculum pre-K through twelfth grade that is Board adopted. Course guides will be developed for each level of the curriculum as well as every course taught in the DeKalb County School District. While instructional variances is expected to occur in addressing the unique needs of specific students, instruction will be derived from a curriculum that is common to all students.
Quality control includes the alignment of the written, taught, and tested curriculum. Each guide - representing the written curriculum - will be aligned with the tested curriculum, i.e., required student assessments mandated in O.C.G.A., 20-2-281. The taught curriculum will be aligned with the written curriculum. Curriculum guides will be subject to Board approval prior to district-wide implementation. The Curriculum Design Blueprint shall serve as the curriculum plan. The course guide shall be prepared under the direction of the Curriculum Design Department according to the procedures outlined in the Curriculum Design Blueprint. Teachers, parents, and community representatives shall have an opportunity to contribute to the writing and revision of course guides. These guides shall reflect the Georgia Board of Education adopted curriculum as well as national trends and standards for instructional strategies, which will facilitate delivery of the curriculum to students with varying needs. Between adoption cycles, the curriculum may be altered following the procedures outlined under Innovation Courses\Programs (ICD).
Learning will be enhanced by adherence to an integrated curriculum that promotes continuity and an accumulation of skills and knowledge from grade to grade and from school to school. Therefore, implementation of the curriculum by teachers will be aligned to the Board adopted curriculum guides.
The School District shall comply with Georgia digital learning mandates by providing opportunities to all students in grades 3 through 12 for participation in part-time and full-time virtual instruction program options beginning with the 2012-2013 school year. The Superintendent shall ensure that the Curriculum and Instruction Department develops administrative regulations to comply with this policy and state mandates for blended and virtual learning opportunities.
Legal References
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0140 — SBOE to establish uniformly sequenced content standards; college and career readiness competency standards (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0141 — Review of competencies and core curriculum (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0142 — Prescribed courses (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0156 — Program for limited-English proficient (LEP) students (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0160 — Determination of enrollment; determination of funding (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0182 — Program weights to reflect funds for payment of salaries and benefits; maximum class size; reporting requirements; application to specific school years (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0240 — Powers and duties of State Board of Education (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0281 — Student assessments (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0300 — Implementation and funding authorized (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0304 — Environmental education, recycling and composting awareness (Lexis)
- Rule 160-4-2-.03 — List of State-Funded K-8 Subjects and 9-12 Courses for Students Entering Ninth Grade Prior to 2008
- Rule 160-4-9-.04 — Charter Schools and Charter Systems Definitions
- Rule 160-4-3-.07 — Young Farmer Agribusiness (YFA) Program
- Rule 160-4-2-.33 — Values and Character Education
- Rule 160-4-2-.20 — State-Funded K-8 Subjects and 9-12 Courses for Students Entering Ninth Grade in 2008 and Subsequent Years