No. 6144

INSTRUCTION

Series 6000

pROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION

Policy

In accordance with its statutory responsibilities, the Board of Education has established and will maintain and periodically review a program of instruction that, in the judgment of the Board, best serves the interests of the school district.  The Board shall work with and may delegate responsibilities to the Superintendent and professional staff in determining the specific curriculum to be used in the program of instruction.  Except as provided below, students enrolled in the district schools shall be expected to participate in all elements of the established curriculum.

The program of instruction offered by the Board shall include, at minimum, the various subject matters set forth Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-16b.  In addition, each school within the district shall provide a program of instruction concerning United States history, including instruction on government at the national, state and local levels, and on the duties, responsibilities, and rights of United States Citizenship.  Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-18.  In accordance with Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-19(a), the Board shall also provide a planned, ongoing and systematic program of instruction regarding the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to understand and avoid the effects of alcohol, of nicotine or tobacco and of drugs on health, character, citizenship and personality development.  In accordance with Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-19(b), the Board shall also, during the regular school day, provide planned, ongoing and systematic instruction on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). 

Parental Access to Instructional Material

In accordance with federal law and Board policy, parents shall be permitted access to instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum for any student.

"Instructional Material" means any instructional content that is provided to a student, regardless of its format, including printed or representational materials, audio-visual materials, and materials in electronic or digital formats (such as materials accessible through the Internet).  The term does not include academic tests or academic assessments.

Upon request, the district shall permit parents to inspect any instructional material.  The district shall grant reasonable access to instructional material within a reasonable period of time after a parental request is received.

Excusal from Instruction

In accordance with Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-184, parents or guardians may enroll their school age children in the public schools or may show that the child is elsewhere receiving instruction equivalent to the studies taught in the public schools.  When a parent chooses to enroll a child in the district schools, the child shall participate in the program of instruction as established by the Board as set forth above, except as follows.

In accordance with Conn. Gen. Stats. §§ 10-16e, 10-18c, and 10-19(b) respectively, the Board shall excuse any student from participation in the following: 1) family life education; 2) firearm safety programs; and/or 3) AIDS instruction.  Parents or guardians seeking exemption from the subjects listed above shall submit the request for exemption in writing to the Principal, and the written request for exemption must cite the specific topic, materials, and/or section of any subject area of the curriculum for which the request for exemption is being made.  Parents or guardians are also requested to include an explanation of their reasons for seeking an exemption from the specified subject areas.  When a Principal receives a written request for exemption, he/she shall offer to meet with the parent or guardian submitting the request to discuss their concerns.  If the parent or guardian continues to seek the exemption thereafter, the request shall be forwarded to the Superintendent for approval. 

The Board further authorizes the Superintendent to establish additional procedures consistent with statute, as he/she deems necessary, regarding the exemption of students from instruction in these three content areas.  As required by statute, if a student is exempted from a firearm safety program, the Board shall provide, during the period of time in which the student would otherwise be participating in such program, an opportunity for other study or academic work.

Legal references:

     Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-16b

     Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-18

     Conn. Gen. Stat. §10-19

     Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-220

     Leebaert v. Harrington, 332 F.3d 134 (2d Cir. 2003).

Federal Law: Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Public Law 107-110, § 1061, codified at 20 U.S.C. § 1232h. 

Adopted:

27

September

2004

Revision Approved:

28

March

2005