LCS Board of Education
Committee:
Location:
Date:
Time:
Board Curriculum Committee
Curriculum Office
September 27, 2005
8:30 – 10:00 am
Attendees:
Jane Ellen Innes, Committee Chair
Ken Goetz, Trustee
Jim Paschal, Trustee
Richard Schaffner, Curriculum Director
Toya Martin, parent
Minutes of Meeting
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Administrative Matters
Committee meetings were scheduled for the remainder of the calendar year.
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Curriculum Department Overview
The current Curriculum committee is fairly new and Rick provided an overview of
how a good curriculum is typically developed. He explained the curriculum cycle,
outlined how curriculum drives professional development, and also provided
information about the Professional Development Committee and the Curriculum
Development Committee.
Curriculum Development
Handouts included two flow charts:
9 Curriculum Development Process. Rick provided a flowchart of the process from
identifying areas to target for curriculum updating – determined either by the
curriculum cycle or by data. He explained the cycle evolving from rationale, leading
to essential content that is aligned to State standards. This logically leads to common
assessment and selection of resources followed by the completed curriculum that is
brought forward for adoption. Typically, this entire cycle could be completed in two
to three years, if an existing curriculum is purchased, longer if the curriculum is
developed.
9 Curriculum, Program, Textbook Adoption Process. This chart build upon the
information provided in the CD Process flowchart and included information about
identifying new curriculum based on data and identified needs, considering new
courses, new programs, or new textbooks that would be included. The flow chart
provided details on how the process is intended to be implemented through subject
area or building committee proposal, to Curriculum Development Committee
endorsement, to Board Curriculum Committee approval, to School Board adoption.
It was noted that to facilitate this process it is important to develop subject area
visions.
9 Funding Considerations. Realistic funding requirements, per subject area will be
$250-500,000.
Board of Education Curriculum Committee
Minutes of Meeting
September 27, 2005
Page 2
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Responsibilities of the Curriculum Department
In addition to directing the curriculum review and update cycle, the Curriculum
Department is also responsible for staff professional development, grant writing and
staffing sub-committees.
Curriculum Development Committee
The Curriculum Department identifies members of the staff Curriculum Development
Committee (CDC). The committee is comprised of one teacher from each building, a
Special Education representative, plus the principals are invited to participate as is
the Technology Director. This committee serves as the instructional leaders in the
District. Together with the Curriculum Director, they develop content area visions
(English language arts, math, etc.) and clarify grade level content expectations. This
committee is also responsible for working with the Director to ensure that Michigan
State standards and benchmarks are met.
Professional Development Committee
The Professional Development Committee is made up of one teacher from each
building, a Special Education representative, one elementary principal, middle school
principal, two assistant principals from the high school, the Technology Department
Director.
The PDC approves conferences for teachers, assists in developing the in-calendar
professional development days. Professional Development should related to the
district improvement plan.
Focus area for the 2005-06 year is writing. For the November 2005 professional
development offering, each building will be planning their own activities with the goal
of promoting better writing within their specific content areas.
The Professional Development Committee is responsible for approving professional
development requests from staff.
Board Curriculum Committee
The Board of Education Curriculum committee is responsible for (a) making a
commitment to curriculum, (b) becoming familiar with the curriculum, (c)
recommending the allocation of adequate resources, and (d) regularly monitoring the
curriculum.
The Board of Education is responsible for developing curriculum and instructional
policies, shaping/reshaping goals to meet state and federal mandates, supporting the
curriculum with funds. Additionally, the board teams with the curriculum director
and superintendent to keep a balanced curriculum, develops and approves policy
based on data, ensures curriculum and instructional leadership. The board provides
support to all levels of district leadership and staff.
Board of Education Curriculum Committee
Minutes of Meeting
September 27, 2005
Page 3
Related policies include:
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Alignment of curriculum to state standards
Curriculum revision and adoptiong
Adoption of textbooks and alignment of textbooks to standards
Equity and quality in curriculum, instruction and assessment
Graduation requirements
Core curriculum
Class size
Annual education reports
Future Direction
Rick will provide a “state of the curriculum” to the committee and draft timeline for
changes/enhancements/additions at its next meeting.
Committee members suggested that there might be a need for a salaried grant
writing position and asked Rick to investigate the need and cost.
The department’s website is currently being enhanced and an update will be provided
at the next meeting.
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Next Meeting
November 1, 2005 @ 8:30 am at the LCS Curriculum Department office
Preliminary Agenda
1. Call to order
2. Public comments
3. Curriculum update
° Grant writing position
° Other funding considerations
4. Website update
5. Student retention
° Data
° Plans and timeline discussion
6. Questions/comments from committee
7. Agenda items for next meeting
8. Adjournment