JCBE/POLICY FILE: 320
Approved: 2/17/77
Revised: 4/22/82
Revised: 1/28/88
PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS OF THE INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM
The Jefferson County Board of Education is dedicated to the total development of students so that said students may become more effective as citizens and contributing members of our society.
It is the Board's belief that the schools exist for the benefit of the students as learners and that it must provide an atmosphere in which all students can reach their potential. This goal, founded on the belief that every person must be respected as an individual, shall be the basis of the philosophy and objectives of the instructional program of the Jefferson County School System.
In following this philosophy, the specific goals of the Jefferson County School System's educational program shall be to assure its students of the opportunity for total development in the following essential areas of education:
1. Fundamental skills
2. General knowledge
3. Communicative skills
4. Problem-solving and decision-making skills
The educational program of the county school system shall not be regarded or operated as a static and formed entity. It shall be, instead, the product of continuous and positive change, so long as such change is in keeping with the resources and needs of the community. It is the duty of all personnel to be constantly concerned with a critical reappraisal of the county's educational program and instructional services so that successful changes may be made whenever such changes are appropriate.
In accordance with public school law (CODE OF ALARAMA, 16-35-3), the State Course of Study, as prepared by the Alabama State Department of Education, shall be followed as guides for the formation of instructional programs.
Any deviation from this guide shall be approved by the local superintendent and reported to the local Board. Should the Division of Curriculum and Instruction, upon recommendation of the superintendent and approval of the Board, choose to prepare courses of study which differ from the guidelines offered by the State Course of Study, these courses shall be offered in addition to the required courses and approved by the State Superintendent of Education.
Curriculum planning, evaluation and revision shall be the delegated responsibility of the Division of Curriculum and Instruction. It shall, in accordance with public school law, utilize the continuing studies and evaluations of courses taught in public elementary and secondary schools made by the State Courses of Study Committee as a source of input and guidance for the evaluation and revision of Jefferson County curricula.
Such evaluations shall include, but not be limited to, consideration of the required basic content, the texts used and available, the educational objectives of the course, the changing scientific, technological and cultural development, and the establishment of facts of American History, tradition and patriotism. (CODE OF ALABAMA, 16-35-3).
The Board shall maintain a system of support services so that the teachers can and will render the best quality instruction available. To meet this criterion, the Board shall provide constant supervision and support of the schools' instructional programs. In-service programs and other opportunities for development shall he made available to instructional personnel.