P6711 English Language Arts

The acquisition and development of the content and skills of English language arts by all students are essential. These skills shall be developed in all subject matter classrooms and the skills and content shall be taught in all elementary school classrooms and secondary school English language arts classrooms. 

Administrative Implemental Procedures: 

1. English language arts comprises the content of language, literature, composition, usage, media, humanities, speech, debate, drama, and journalism and the skills of reading, writing, speaking, listening, thinking, spelling, handwriting, valuing, and problem solving. A balanced program giving attention to each of these skills and content will be developed and taught for grades K through 12. The balanced program will have sequence so that growth through English can be obtained and so that the uses of composition, language, and literature can be developed. 

2. The balanced and sequenced program will reflect the elementary and secondary language arts program standards and instructional philosophy as outlined in the Curriculum Alignment and Instruction Guide. The Language Arts curriculum guides will be prepared by teachers under the direction respectively of the elementary and secondary language arts coordinators. 

3. The textbooks and materials placed on adoption will reflect the program standards. 

   1. Committees comprised of teachers and community members and principals representative of the diversity within the district and community and the guidelines set forth by the Board of Education will prepare criteria for the study and evaluation of textbooks and a given language arts subject matter area. 

   2. Committees of faculty and community members and principals representative of the diversity of levels and subject matter areas within the district and community and Board of Education guidelines will recommend for adoption textbooks and materials which reflect the criteria and standards and which will achieve the standards for given language arts subject matter areas. 

   3. The study and evaluation of language arts materials for adoption should occur as stipulated by BOE Policy 6020 - Textbook Adoption Procedures. 

   4. Each year, committees comprised of teachers will evaluate additional supplies, materials, and equipment for the teaching of English language arts and will make recommendations for their use. These recommended items will be listed in the elementary and secondary school language arts materials catalogs. 

   5. The elementary and secondary language arts coordinators will serve as advisory members of these respective committees. 

4. Funds for the purchase of supplementary and enrichment materials for the English language arts program are included within the per student allocations for each school building and the equipment budget. 

   1. The budget process will provide funds for computer, phototypesetting, desktop publishing, and stage equipment. 

   2. Funds for competitive activities in media, speech, forensics, debate, drama, and journalism will be allocated by the Board of Education. 

5. Guidelines for the time allocations for the teaching and learning of English language arts for the elementary schools will be found in P6317 – Elementary Time Allotments, and for the secondary schools in P1225 - Organization of the School Day, Kansas State Department of Education Bulletin 201, and P6333 - Graduation Rule. Principals will ensure that recommended time allotments and class hours are maintained at the elementary and secondary school levels. 

Administrative Responsibility: Learning Services 

Latest Revision Date: March 1999 

Previous Revision Date: July 1994 P6711 

Updated administratively for alignment purposes: March 2021 

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