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K-12 areas of instruction required by statute in Delaware

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See also: K-12 education content standards in the states

This page features information about K-12 areas of instruction required by state statute in Delaware public schools.

Background

See also: K-12 education content standards in the states and K-12 curriculum authority, requirements, and statutes in the states

State education officials may develop content standards and curricula, depending on the state, in order to facilitate instruction in public schools. In some states, lawmakers also adopt required areas of instruction by statute.

K-12 content standards and curriculum development

State or local education officials may develop K-12 curricula for classroom instruction that generally includes lessons and materials used in a particular course of study.[1] Depending on the state, K-12 curricula may reflect or incorporate state content standards—educational learning and achievement goals that state education officials either require or recommend that local schools satisfy in K-12 instruction.

Areas of instruction required by statute

Some state laws require the inclusion of specific areas of instruction in K-12 public school curricula. In these cases, lawmakers—rather than state education officials—mandate certain education requirements for students. Laws governing specific areas of instruction in K-12 curricula vary by state.

Statutorily required areas of instruction in Delaware

The following table provides information about selected areas of instruction required by statute in Delaware. The statutes provided may not be comprehensive. The statutory text is provided below the table.

Statutorily required areas of instruction in Delaware
Area(s) of instruction Statute(s)
The United States Constitution, government of Delaware, and free enterprise system 14 Delaware Code § 4103 (2022)
Drug/alcohol education 14 Delaware Code § 4116 (2022)
Computer science 14 Delaware Code § 4139 (2022)
Cursive writing 14 Delaware Code § 4138 (2022)
Holocaust education 14 Delaware Code § 4141 (2022)
Black history 14 Delaware Code § 4143 (2022)
Physiology/hygiene 14 Delaware Code § 4145 (2022)


14 Delaware Code § 4103 (2022):

“ Teaching Constitution of the United States, Constitution and government of Delaware and the free enterprise system.


In all public and private schools located within this State, there shall be given regular courses of instruction in the Constitution of the United States, Constitution and government of Delaware and the free enterprise system.[2]

”

14 Delaware Code § 4116 (2022):

“ Drug/alcohol educational programs.


The Department of Education with approval of the State Board of Education shall establish and implement statewide alcohol/substance abuse educational programs to be provided in each grade, kindergarten through grade 12, in each public school in this State. The programs required by this section shall consist of no fewer than 10 hours per school year in grades kindergarten through 4 and 15 hours per school year in grades 5 through 12. Each program shall be taught by appropriately trained certified teachers and the instruction shall be comprehensive, age-appropriate and sequential in nature.[2]

”

14 Delaware Code § 4139 (2022):

“ Computer science.


By the 2020-2021 school year, all public high schools, including charter schools, shall offer at least 1 computer science course. The Department of Education is directed to develop standards for computer science and seek approval of the State Board of Education of such standards no later than December 31, 2017.[2]

”

14 Delaware Code § 4138 (2022):

“ Cursive writing.


Beginning in the 2018-2019 school year, every public elementary school shall teach cursive writing by the end of grade 4 as a component of English language arts...[2]

”

14 Delaware Code § 4141 (2022):

“ Holocaust instruction.


Each school district and charter school serving students in 1 or more of the grades 6 through 12 shall provide instruction on the Holocaust and genocide at least 1 time in each grade...[2]

”

14 Delaware Code § 4143 (2022):

“ Black history instruction.


Each school district and charter school serving students in 1 or more of the grades K through 12 shall provide instruction on Black history...[2]

”

14 Delaware Code § 4145 (2022):

“ Rules and regulations.


(b) The Department shall prescribe rules and regulations:

... (5) Determining the minimum courses of study for all public elementary schools and all public high schools of the State, including ensuring that all elementary school students have an opportunity to attend a school where all elementary school subjects, with the exception of foreign languages, are taught in the English language and requiring that all pupils of all public elementary schools and all public high schools of the State be instructed in physiology and hygiene, with special reference to the effects of alcoholic drinks, stimulants and narcotics upon the human system. Rules and regulations on this subject shall be proposed by the Secretary subject to approval by the State Board of Education;[2]

”

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ The Glossary of Education Reform, "Curriculum," accessed July 26, 2022
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
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