department of education

Education Impact Analysis Pursuant To

14 DEL.C. Section 122(d)

PROPOSED

503 Instructional Program Requirements

A. Type of Regulatory Action Required

Amendment to Existing Regulation

B. Synopsis of Subject Matter of the Regulation

The Secretary of Education seeks the consent of the State Board of Education to amend 14 DE Admin. Code 503 Instructional Program Requirements by removing section 5.0 Functional Life Skills Curriculum. The reference to the Standards for the Functional Life Skills was removed from 14 DE Admin. Code 501 State Content Standards in September 2004 because federal regulations no longer allow the use of separate functional standards that are aligned to academic content standards. In order to align 14 DE Admin. Code 503 Instructional Program Requirements with 14 DE Admin. Code 501 State Content Standards the reference to the Functional Life Skills Curriculum in 5.0 of 14 DE Admin. Code 503 Instructional Program Requirements must be removed.

C. Impact Criteria

1. Will the amended regulation help improve student achievement as measured against state achievement standards? The amendment to the regulation simply aligns it with its companion regulation 14 DE Admin. Code 501 State Content Standards.

2. Will the amended regulation help ensure that all students receive an equitable education? The amendment to the regulation simply aligns it with its companion regulation 14 DE Admin. Code 501 State Content Standards.

3. Will the amended regulation help to ensure that all students’ health and safety are adequately protected? The amendment to the regulation simply aligns it with its companion regulation 14 DE Admin. Code 501 State Content Standards.

4. Will the amended regulation help to ensure that all students’ legal rights are respected? The amendment to the regulation simply aligns it with its companion regulation 14 DE Admin. Code 501 State Content Standards.

5. Will the amended regulation preserve the necessary authority and flexibility of decision making at the local board and school level? The amended regulation will preserve the necessary authority and flexibility of decision making at the local board and school level.

6. Will the amended regulation place unnecessary reporting or administrative requirements or mandates upon decision makers at the local board and school levels? The amended regulation will not place any unnecessary reporting or administrative requirements or mandates upon decision makers at the local board and school levels.

7. Will the decision making authority and accountability for addressing the subject to be regulated be placed in the same entity? The decision making authority and accountability for addressing the subject to be regulated will remain in the same entity.

8. Will the amended regulation be consistent with and not an impediment to the implementation of other state educational policies, in particular to state educational policies addressing achievement in the core academic subjects of mathematics, science, language arts and social studies? The amended regulation will be consistent with and not an impediment to the implementation of other state educational policies, in particular to state educational policies addressing achievement in the core academic subjects of mathematics, science, language arts and social studies.

9. Is there a less burdensome method for addressing the purpose of the regulation? There is no less burdensome method for addressing the purpose of the regulation.

10. What is the cost to the State and to the local school boards of compliance with the regulation? There is cost to the State and to the local school boards of compliance with the regulation.

503 Instructional Program Requirements

1.0 English Language Arts

1.1 Local school districts and each charter school shall provide instructional programs in English Language Arts for each grade K-12.

1.2 All public school students in each grade K-8 shall be enrolled in an English language arts program.

1.3 All public school students in grades 9-12 shall complete the credits in English language arts necessary to graduate from high school.

2.0 Mathematics

2.1 Local school districts and each charter school shall provide instructional programs in mathematics for each grade K-12.

2.2 All public school students in each grade K-8 shall be enrolled in a mathematics program.

2.3 All public school students in grades 9-12 shall complete the credits in mathematics necessary to graduate from high school.

3.0 Science

3.1 Local school districts and each charter school shall provide instructional programs in science for each grade K-12.

3.2 All public school students in each grade K-8 shall be enrolled in a science program.

3.3 All public school students in grades 9-12 shall complete the credits in science necessary to graduate from high school.

4.0 Social Studies

4.1 Local school districts and each charter school shall provide instructional programs in social studies for each grade K-12.

4.2 All public school students in each grade K-8 shall be enrolled in a social studies program.

4.3 All public school students in grades 9-12 shall complete the credits in social studies necessary to graduate from high school.

5.0 Functional Life Skills Curriculum

5.1 Local school districts and each charter school shall provide instructional programs for students for whom a functional life skills curriculum is appropriate.

5.2 Public school students in the Functional Life Skills Curriculum shall participate in health, physical education, visual and performing arts and vocational technical programs as directed by their Individual Education Program (IEP).

6.0 5.0 Physical Education

6.1 5.1 Local school districts and each charter school shall provide instructional programs in physical education for each grade K-12 with the exception of the James H. Groves High School program.

6.2 5.2 All public school students in each grade 1-8 shall be enrolled in a physical education program.

6.3 5.3 All public school students in grades 9-12 shall complete the credit in physical education necessary to graduate from high school.

6.4 5.4 In addition to the one credit required for high school graduation, only one additional elective credit in physical education may be used to fulfill the graduation requirements.

6.5 5.5 The physical education requirements may be waived only for students who have an excuse from a qualified physician or objections based on religious beliefs. The local school district shall have the authority to grant such waivers.

7.0 6.0 Visual and Performing Arts

7.1 6.1 Local school districts and each charter school shall provide instructional programs in the visual and performing arts for each grade K-12 with the exception of the James H. Groves High School program.

7.2 6.2 All public school students in each grade 1-6 shall be enrolled in a visual and performing arts program.

8.0 7.0 Vocational Technical Education

8.1 7.1 Local school districts and charter schools, when consistent with the charter school's approved program, shall provide instructional programs in two or more vocational technical education areas in grades 7 and 8.