N.H. Code Admin. R. Ed 306.26

Current through Register No. 25, June 20, 2024

Section Ed 306.26 - Kindergarten - Grade 8 School Curriculum

(a) The local school board shall require that in each school there is:

(1) A broad and well-balanced elementary school curriculum that outlines district competencies for the grade 1-8 program in compliance with RSA 193-C:3, III; and

(2) An instructional program that includes:

a. Procedures for diagnosing learner needs, learning styles, and interests;

b. Methods and strategies for teaching students;

c. Research-based learning opportunities;

d. Techniques for the evaluation of student outcomes, including performance assessment of district competencies; and

e. Provision of differentiated instruction for students based on learning styles, needs, and interests.

(b) The local school board shall adopt, for each school, a broad and well-balanced kindergarten school curriculum that outlines a play-based kindergarten program in compliance with RSA 193-E:2-a, II-a that supports:

(1) Unstructured time built into the school day for the discovery of, and methods and strategies for the fostering of, each child's individual talents, abilities, and needs;

(2) Child development and learning in all domains, including, but not limited to:

a. Physical;

b. Social;

c. Cognitive; and

d. Language;

(3) Child-directed experiences based upon the district's identified early childhood best teaching practices and play-based learning that comprise:

a. Movement;

b. Creative expression;

c. Exploration;

d. Socialization; and

e. Music; and

(4) A guided-reading literacy program.

(c) The local school board shall adopt, for each school, a local time schedule which specifies the distribution of instructional time among the following learning areas to be taught in grades 1-8 at all learning levels in the school:

(1) For the elementary grades 1-8, where no middle school has been established by vote of the local school board:

a.Ed 306.31, relative to an arts education;

b.Ed 306.37, relative to an English/language arts and reading program;

c.Ed 306.40, relative to a health education program;

d.Ed 306.41, relative to a physical education program;

e.Ed 306.42, relative to digital literacy program;

f.Ed 306.43, relative to a mathematics program;

g.Ed 306.45, relative to a science education; and

h.Ed 306.46, relative to a social studies program; and

(2) For middle school:

a.Ed 306.31, relative to an arts education;

b.Ed 306.37, relative to an English/language arts and reading program;

c.Ed 306.40, relative to a health education program;

d.Ed 306.41, relative to a physical education program;

e.Ed 306.38, relative to a family and consumer science education;

f.Ed 306.42, relative to digital literacy program;

g.Ed 306.43, relative to a mathematics program;

h.Ed 306.45, relative to a science education;

i.Ed 306.46, relative to a social studies program; and

j.Ed 306.47, relative to a technology and engineering education.

(d) If the local school board determines that one or more world languages might be offered at a middle school in the district, the local school board shall develop a policy for each middle school relative to providing supplemental instruction in one or more world languages, including the extent of this instruction and the students to whom it is offered.

(e) If a co-curricular program is offered, it shall consist of those activities that are designed to supplement and enrich regular academic instruction, provide opportunities for social development, and encourage participation in clubs, athletics, performing groups, and service to school and community.

(f) The local school board shall develop a policy that grants acknowledgement of achievement to students taking coursework in the seventh or eighth grade toward high school graduation, if the course demonstrates district or graduation competencies consistent with related high school course(s) and the student achieves satisfactory standards of performance.

(g) If a district chooses to offer extended learning opportunities in a middle school, the extended learning opportunities shall:

(1) Consist of activities designed to:

a. Provide credit or supplement regular academic courses; and

b. Promote the schools and individual students' educational goals and objectives;

(2) Be governed by a policy adopted by the local school board that:

a. Provides for the administration and supervision of the program;

b. Outlines how certified school personnel oversee an individual student's program;

c. Requires that each extended learning proposal meet rigorous measurable standards and be approved by the school prior to its beginning;

d. Specifies whether or not credit can be granted for extended learning activities, including, but not limited to, independent study, private instruction, team sports, performing groups, internships, community service, and work study; and

e. Requires that acknowledgement of achievement for an extended learning activity be approved by a certified educator;

(3) Incorporate student participation in selecting, organizing, and carrying out extended leaning activities;

(4) Provide opportunities for students to acquire knowledge and skill development comparable to knowledge and skill development in courses offered at the high school; and

(5) Be available to all students.

(h) The local school board shall require, and each district shall establish, and provide instruction in, Holocaust and genocide education as described in Ed 306.49, implemented no later than 8th grade as a component of a course in social studies. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent developmentally appropriate instruction in Holocaust and genocide studies prior to 8th grade or as a component of other learning areas.

N.H. Code Admin. R. Ed 306.26

Amended by Volume XXXIV Number 16, Filed April 17, 2014, Proposed by #10556, Effective 3/27/2014, Expires3/27/2024.

Amended by Volume XXXIX Number 37, Filed September 12, 2019, Proposed by #12845, Effective 8/9/2019, Expires 8/9/2029.

Amended by Volume XLII Number 28, Filed July 14, 2022, Proposed by #13394, Effective 6/10/2022, Expires 6/10/2032