In accordance with state statutes, the program of instruction shall include at least the following subject matter:

The arts, which may include, but not be limited to, dance, music, art, and theatre.

Career education;

Consumer education;

Health and safety, including, but not limited to, human growth and development; nutrition; first aid including CPR training; disease prevention and cancer awareness, including age and developmentally-appropriate instruction in performing self-examinations for screening breast and testicular cancer; community and consumer health, physical mental and emotional health, including youth suicide prevention, substance abuse prevention including instruction related to opioid use and related disorders; safety, including the safe use of social media, and may include the dangers of gang membership; and accident prevention;

1. Language arts, including reading, writing, grammar, speaking and spelling;
2. Mathematics;
3. Physical education;
4. Science, which may include climate change curriculum;
5. Social studies, including citizenship, economics, geography, government, history, and Holocaust and genocide education and awareness;
6. African-American and Black Studies;
7. Puerto Rican and Latino Studies;
8. Native American Studies (effective July 1, 2023);
9. Computer programming instruction;
10. One or more world languages on the secondary level including American Sign Language;
11. vocational education; and
12. Asian American studies (effective July 1, 2025).

The Curriculum development and revision process will be conducted by certified staff having the responsibility to recommend, develop, review, and approve all curriculum for the District and said curriculum shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Education.  Curriculum development and revision shall be guided by such factors as the following:

Actual studies, needs assessments, state and district student achievement results and information concerning the needs of students in the school district.

1. The range of abilities, aptitudes and interests of the students.
2. Aspirations of residents of the school district for the students.
3. The mobility of the population, making it necessary to provide education for the students useful anywhere in the world.
4. Avoidance of discrimination.
5. Reduction of duplication of effort and repetitive curricula among various school levels and coordination of courses of study and syllabi.
6. Provisions of negotiated agreements.

The Board of Education reserves the responsibility for establishing and approving curricula for the school district. Teachers shall teach within the approved curricula and programs.

The Board of Education in establishing and approving curricula for the school district will give due consideration to the possible adoption and use of the model curriculum for grades K-8 developed by the Connecticut State Department of Education in collaboration with the State Education Resource Center (SERC) upon its availability. Such consideration shall be based upon the recommendation of the administration responsible for the related content area.

(cf. 6121 - Non-discrimination: Instructional Program)

 Legal Reference:  
Connecticut General Statutes: 10-15 Towns to maintain schools.

                                                 10-15 c Discrimination in public schools prohibited. 10-16b Prescribed courses of study, as amended by PA 08-153, PA
                                                  21-2 JSS, Sections 374, 375, 376.

                                                 10-16 c et. seq. Re Family life education.

                                                 10-17  English language to be medium of instruction.

                                                 10-17  et. seq. Re Bilingual instruction

                                                 10-18    Courses in United States history, government and duties and responsibilities of citizenship.

                                                 10-18 a Contents of textbooks and other general instructional materials. 10-18b et. seq. Re Firearms safety programs

                                                 10-19  Effect of alcohol, nicotine, or tobacco and drugs to be taught. Training of personnel.  Evaluation of programs by
                                                 alcohol and drug abuse commission and department of education.

                                                 10-19a et. seq. Re Substance abuse prevention team.

                                                 10-21 et seq. Re Vocational education and cooperation with business. 10-24 Course in motor vehicle operation and
                                                 highway safety.

                                                 10-221a High School graduation requirements.

                                                 10-220 Duties of boards of education as amended by PA 08-153.

                                                 PA 22-80 An Act Concerning Childhood Mental and Physical Health Services in School.

 

Policy revised:	May 9, 2023	HAMDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy adopted:	May 20, 2002	Hamden, Connecticut