Section 071-127-5 - Elementary School Course of Study5.01 Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Programs Kindergarten is a one or two-year program prior to grade one designed to serve as an introduction to the academic environment. Pre-kindergarten is a one-year program prior to kindergarten. Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs shall provide activities that promote the development of feelings of self-worth as a learner and the development of skills in the following areas: social interaction, academic readiness, language expression, and fine and gross motor coordination. When resources and facilities are available, school administrative units may provide full-day kindergarten programs to reduce the risk of school failure.
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.B. The required content areas for each elementary school student shall include five content areas of the system of Learning Results as follows: English Language Arts, Health and Physical Education, Mathematics, Science and Technology, and Social Studies.C. The Comprehensive Education Plan developed by the school administrative unit in accordance with Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 125 shall address the implementation of Career Preparation, Modern and Classical Languages, and Visual and Performing Arts. Effective September 2006 the local curriculum shall include these content areas for all students contingent upon funding of Essential Programs and Services or its equivalent.D. Each content area of the system of Learning Results is defined by the standards and performance indicators in Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 131. NOTE: Until such time as the content list for Health Education is included in Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 131, health education shall continue to include instruction in community health, consumer health, environmental health, family life, growth and development, nutritional health, personal health including mental and emotional health, prevention and control of disease and disorders, safety and accident prevention, and substance use and abuse, including the effects of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.
5.03 Promotion and Placement Decisions A. The school board of each school administrative unit operating an elementary school shall adopt a policy to govern decisions to promote or retain a student based on information concerning that student from the Local Assessment System and other indicators determined by the school board.B. For students who transfer into an elementary school from another state or an educational program that is not required to meet the standards of the system of Learning Results, the principal of the receiving school shall determine the value of the prior educational experience in order to make placement decisions.05- 071 C.M.R. ch. 127, § 5