Everything you need to know about ranked-choice voting in one spot. Click to learn more!

K-12 curriculum authority, requirements, and statutes in Maine

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Education Banner Blue.png
Education Policy
Education Icon 200x200.png
Education policy topics
Overview of trends in K-12 curricula development
Impact of school choice on rural school districts
Local school board authority across the 50 states
State policies on cellphone use in K-12 public schools
School choice in the United States
School choice glossary

Other policy areas
Click here for coverage of other policy areas on Ballotpedia
See also: K-12 education content standards in the states

This page features information about K-12 curriculum authority, requirements, and related statutes in Maine.

Background: What is curriculum development?

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

State or local education officials develop K-12 curriculum for classroom instruction that generally includes lessons and materials used in a particular course of study.[1] Depending on the state, K-12 curriculum 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.

K-12 curriculum development in public schools varies across the 50 states. State-level entities (such as state boards of education and state education agency leaders) or local entities (such as school districts and local schools) may play a role in the development and approval of K-12 curriculum.

If a state-level entity is tasked with developing a K-12 curriculum, state statutes or regulations may either require or recommend that local schools or districts use the state-developed curriculum in the classroom. Other states allow local schools or districts to develop their own K-12 curriculum.

K-12 curriculum authority, requirements, and related statutes in Maine

The following table provides information about K-12 curriculum authority, requirements, and related statutes in Maine as of December 2023. The statutes provided may not be comprehensive. The statutory text is provided below the table.

Maine K-12 curriculum authority, requirements, and statutes
State Entity If state-developed, is curriculum recommended or required for local schools? Statute or regulation
Maine School districts N/A Maine Code of Regulations Section 071-127-5.02(A)


Maine Code of Regulations Section 071-127-5.02(A):

Elementary School Course of Study


5.02 Standards and Expectations for Learning Grades Pre-kindergarten through 4

A. Each school board operating an elementary school shall adopt a curriculum aligned with the content standards of the system of Learning Results in up to three grade spans: Pre-kindergarten-2 and 3-4, and, where appropriate, 5-8. Each school administrative unit shall determine the instructional methods and educational materials needed to give each student the opportunity to meet the content standards of the system of Learning Results. This may include an extended school day or school year for students who need more than the minimum time established in Me. Dept of Ed. Reg. 125 to meet the content standards of the system of Learning Results.[2]

Maine Department of Education (2023)

The Maine Department of Education offers research-based curriculum practices and targeted professional development opportunities that are developed by staff specialists in all content areas as well as Early Childhood Education, Special Education, and education for English Learners.

With valuable input from Maine educators state-wide, the Department coordinates the authoring of Maine’s Learning Standards to guide schools as they develop local curriculum that provides students with engaging learning experiences.[2]

See also

External links

Footnotes

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