CURRICULUM GUIDES AND COURSE OUTLINES

Curriculum guides are developed by the professional staff to provide continuous educational experiences for the district’s students. They provide teachers with what is expected to be learned by students in each grade and in each subject area.

The curriculum guides of the Gardner Public Schools are aligned with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. Subject areas without Curriculum Frameworks will develop curriculum guides consistent with the goals and objectives of the Gardner Public Schools.

The curriculum guides will have three parts: Learning Standards, Assessment tools, and subject area/course content. Learning Standards Assessment tools define how that learning is measured. The subject area/course content will provide in detail the subject matter to which each student is exposed. Curriculum guides will allow the district’s educators to use a variety of strategies and materials. Teachers and administrators must keep in mind that state accountability instruments (e.g., MCAS, competitive grants) are based on Learning Standards. Teachers are expected to follow the curriculum guides as closely as possible, making changes as needed.

File: IGE

[Adopted: May 10, 1999]