IHA ©
BASIC  INSTRUCTIONAL  PROGRAM

The various instructional programs will be developed to maintain a balanced, integrated, and sequential curriculum that will serve the educational needs of all school-aged children in the District.  The curriculum will be broad in scope and provide for a wide range in rate, readiness, and potential for learning.

The instructional program shall reflect the importance of language acquisition/reading-skill development as the basic element in each student's education.  The first priority of the instructional program will be language acquisition through a planned sequence of reading skills and language experiences beginning in the kindergarten program.  The improvement of specific reading skills of students should be continuous throughout their education.  Each school educating students in kindergarten and grades one (1) through three (3) shall have a reading program as required by A.R.S. 15-704 and applicable State Board of Education rules.

The second priority of the instructional program will be mastery of the fundamentals of mathematics, beginning in the kindergarten program.

The instructional program will ensure that on or before July 1, 2022, at least one (1) kindergarten through third (K-3) grade teacher, literacy coach or literacy specialist in each school has received training related to dyslexia that complies with the requirements prescribed in A.R.S. 15-219 and A.R.S. 15-501.01 which includes enabling teachers to understand and recognize dyslexia and to implement structured literacy instruction that is systematic, explicit, multisensory and evidence-based to meet the educational needs of students with dyslexia.

Attention to the above-listed priorities shall not result in neglect of other areas of the curriculum.

Minimum Course of Study
for Students in the
Common Schools

Students shall demonstrate competency as defined by the State Board-adopted academic standards, at the grade levels specified, in the following required subject areas:

A.  English language arts (ELA);

B.  Mathematics;

C.  Social studies; including:

1.  Civics; and

2.  Instruction on the Holocaust and other genocides for at least three (3) class periods, or the equivalent, on at least two (2) separate occasions during any of grades seven through twelve (7-12).

3.  Instruction in the Constitutions of the United States and Arizona, American institutions and ideals and in the history of Arizona, including the history of Native Americans in Arizona for a total of one (1) year during kindergarten (K) through eighth (8th) grades.

D.  Science;

E.  Two (2) or more of the following:

1.  Visual Arts

2.  Dance

3.  Theatre

4.  Music

5.  Media Arts

F.  Health/Physical education, including mental health.  Mental health instruction may be included as part of other subject areas and shall comply with A.R.S. § 15-701.03.

Minimum  Course  of  Study  for
Graduation  from  High  School

See Policy IKF.

Observance  Days

September 11, in each year shall be observed as 9/11 Education Day.  On 9/11 Education Day, each public school shall dedicate a portion of the school day to age-appropriate education on the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

September 25, in each year, shall be observed as Sandra Day O'Connor Civics Celebration Day.  On Sandra Day O'Connor Civics Celebration Day, each public school in this state shall dedicate the majority of the school day to civics education.

If Sandra Day O'Connor Civics Celebration Day or 9/11 Education Day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or other day when a public school is not in session, the preceding or following school day shall be observed in the public school as the holiday.

The Superintendent is directed to emphasize the use of the resources developed by the State Board of Education relating to civics education which align with the academic standards in social studies pursuant to A.R.S. 15-701 and 15-701.01.

Adopted:  August 27, 2024

LEGAL REF.:
A.R.S.
1-319
1-321
15-203
15-211
15-219
15-341
15-501.01
15-701
15-701.01
15-701.03
15-704
15-710
15-710.02
15-741.01
15-802
A.A.C.
R7-2-301 et seq.

CROSS REF.:
IJNDB - Use of Technology Resources in Instruction
IKF - Graduation Requirements