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6140.11 (R)The Curriculum Network

Meriden’s Curriculum Network serves to oversee the ongoing refinement of the K-12 instructional program. The network is intended to meet the following objectives:

  1. To increase shared decision-making among staff with regard to curriculum development.
  2. To effectively use the expertise available among staff at all levels in curriculum development.
  3. To expand curricular activity in all K-12 instructional areas at all levels within the school system.

The Curriculum Network is structured in the following way:

  1. Permanent curriculum committees have been established for all K-12 instructional areas. The committees are organized on a K-12 basis with representation from all grade levels and all buildings.
  2. Co-chairpersons are selected to head each committee. One co-chairperson is a member of the administrative staff who has expressed an interest and/or has a background in the particular subject area while the other co-chairperson is a committee member elected from the teaching staff.* The co-chairpersons would lead the committees in all of their deliberations.
  3. One co-chairperson from each of the individual committees come together to serve as a cabinet to meet and plan with the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction on curricular and instructional issues. The cabinet defines overall curricular priorities and deliberates on other matters that would serve to structure the activities of individual committees. Either of the co-chairpersons may represent their committee in the cabinet. Co-chairpersons can alternate in this role or one could assume the role for a designated period of time.
  4. The functions of the individual committees and the cabinet are advisory in nature.

The Curriculum Network employs the following process for curriculum development:

  1. Each committee meets at least annually to review relevant issues.
  2. Curriculum committees engaged in active program review meet on a frequent basis throughout the year. Co-chairpersons are to keep the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction informed as to the activities of the committee.
  3. A yearly status report in each curricular area is submitted by the individual committees to the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction for review in the spring.
  4. Committees have been established in the following areas: Art, Business Education, Career Education, Computer Education, English/Language Arts, Foreign Language, Health, Home Economics, Industrial Arts, Learning Resources, Math, Music, Physical Education, Reading, Science and Social Studies.

*Subject supervisors are, of course, the administrative co-chairpersons in those areas where they are available.

Previous Policy Number: HE1-R(1)