Kennett committee updates curriculum policy to require five-year K–12 review and stronger inclusion safeguards

Dr. Heather Collins told the Kennett Consolidated School District policy committee on April 1 that proposed updates to Policy 105 would redefine curriculum as a “series of planned instruction aligned with established academic standards” and bring the district into alignment with chapters 4 and 49 of the Pennsylvania code. The policy would also require the superintendent to present a district curriculum plan and set a minimum five‑year review cycle for every course of study K–12.

Collins said the changes add two specific guideline items to emphasize services and access for students with disabilities and for English learners, and to place school counseling services inside the curriculum-review process. She said special educators and English‑language staff are already included “at the table” when courses are drafted and that the five‑year cycle is intended to keep materials and instructional practice current.

Board members welcomed the change. Latoya Myers and others noted that social‑studies materials in parts of the district had not been reviewed in roughly 20 years; Collins and committee members said the policy and the yearly cycle for curriculum‑plan approval will prevent similar gaps. Committee members also pressed for clear plans for professional development so teachers can deliver updated curricula; Collins and Jones said the policy anticipates investments to support teacher training tied to review cycles.

Collins also flagged a pilot‑program clause that would let the superintendent authorize pilot instructional programs and report back to the board. She said the district is not promising wholesale textbook replacement every five years, but rather a scheduled review to revise and refresh coursework and to ensure accessibility and high‑quality programming for all students.

The committee did not take a formal vote during the meeting; members signaled general support and said the item will be brought to the full board for subsequent review.