Albuquerque Public Schools
I.01 Instructional Program - April 2001 Revision
Notice: This policy was reviewed, revised, and/or renamed. We provide this revision for historic purposes only. Please see our current policies and procedural directives.
This policy was revised in January 2013. We provide this revision for historic purposes only.
Instruction in the District will aim to provide maximum opportunity for learning for all students. Learning activities will be appropriate to the individual needs and developmental levels of the students. Programs of study made available to the students will be consistent with policies of the New Mexico State Board of Education. The Superintendent will submit reports to the Board of Education evaluating various aspects of the program of instruction and making recommendations for improvement in the program, including revising, dropping, or adding courses of instruction.
District Curriculum and Services
The administration will prepare and disseminate district curriculum that is consistent with state requirements and district goals. Schools will organize instruction to implement district curriculum objectives. A balanced program of student activities will be provided.
Special services as deemed advisable by the Board will be made available for the improvement of the instructional program. A home and hospital instruction program will be maintained for students K-12 who are unable to attend classes in their regular schools for a period of three (3) weeks or longer for medical reasons.
Middle School Required and Elective Program
The Superintendent or the Superintendent's designee is authorized to provide a process for the approval of middle school instructional programs within the regulations established by the State Board of Education. The Superintendent will develop procedures to ensure that all middle school instruction, including elective courses not specifically authorized by law to be taught at middle schools, will have academic value, stated student competencies, and a process for evaluation. Students will receive instruction in state or District required subjects at every middle school in the District. However, middle schools may combine required subjects in any pattern that accomplishes state and District competencies. Middle schools are responsible for using the required and/or elective program to provide all students with instruction to meet competencies in health, physical education, fine arts, practical (vocational) arts, and computer skills at some time during the middle school years.
High School Required and Elective Programs for Graduation
Graduation requirements will be established in accordance with State Board of Education regulations. In addition to State mandated graduation requirements, the District will require completion of the following courses (1) one-half unit of health education, and (2) one unit (two semesters) of either fine arts or practical arts education.
Upon approval of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, a school may waive or substitute courses that are required for graduation whenever it can be verified that waiving the requirement is in the best interest of the student. District-required courses may be waived with the permission of the District Superintendent when it can be verified that waiving the requirement is in the best interests of the student.
High School Elective Credit
The Superintendent or the Superintendent's designee is authorized to provide a process for the approval of high school elective credits within regulations established by the State Board of Education. The Superintendent will develop procedures to ensure that elective courses will have academic value, adequate contact time, and articulated student competencies. Procedures will also be developed for new elective courses to be evaluated at the end of two years.
Through the prescribed approval process, schools will have the right to develop courses unique to one school as long as all schools maintain the district core curriculum and advise students of the risk of credit loss for transfers occurring during a semester.
Special Education Graduation
The Superintendent or Superintendent's designee is authorized to provide a process for granting approval for special education students to graduate based on Individualized Education Program (IEP) requirements and for either exemption from or modification to the New Mexico High School Competency Examination (NMHSCE) within regulation guidelines established by the State Board of Education. The Board of Education will submit these requests to the State Superintendent of Public Education.
Procedural Directive Cross Ref.:Instructional Program
NSBA EPS Classification: IHBA, IKF
NSBA/NEPN Classification: IA, IH
Approved: April 2, 1986
Reviewed: January 17, 1990
Revised: February 20, 1996
Revised: April 2001