Office of Student and School Performance Division of Curriculum Standards Ancillary Resources Section What is Core?

Academic areas in which student testing and grading is required, Curriculum that is designed to relay to students the standards, benchmarks, and expectations in an academic area, and Instructional materials written and published primarily for use in elementary and secondary school instruction and are required by a SEA or LEA for use by students in the classroom. 2

Core Curriculum In 2005 Louisiana developed a Comprehensive Curriculum based on the Grade-Level Expectations (GLEs), which are statements of what all students should know or be able to do by the end of each grade, PreK–12, in English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.Comprehensive Curriculum Grade-Level Expectations (GLEs) 3

Core Academic Areas The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall prescribe school books for use in public schools [Title 17, §8.A.1.(a)]. Core Subject Cycle―refers to the adoption period for English/language arts, science, social studies, and mathematics [Title 28, Part XXXIII, §301] The adoption period actually include all of the following areas: –Social Studies, Reading and Literature, Language Arts, Career and Technical Education, Science, Health and Physical Education, Computer Education, Foreign Language, Mathematics, –Handwriting, Music, and Fine Arts 4

Core Instructional Materials Instructional Materials―limited to items having intellectual content that by design assist in the instruction of a subject or course. Instructional Materials may be transmitted via "storage mechanisms" (such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, flash drives, etc.), but "delivery mechanisms" (such as iPods, laptops, whiteboards, etc.) shall not be included in the adopted materials. Instructional Materials may be available in bound, unbound, bundled or package form and may consist of hardbound or softbound textbooks, consumables, manipulatives, electronic media, and computer courseware or software. Instructional Materials do not include electronic or computer hardware even if such hardware is bundled with software or other electronic media, nor does it include equipment or supplies. [Title 28, Part XXXIII, §301] 5

-NIMAS Assurance- Opt-In (Not Required) "By agreeing to deliver the materials marked with "NIMAS" on this contract or purchase order, the publisher agrees to submit a valid NIMAS file set to the NIMAC at the American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. (APH). Should the vendor be a distributor of the materials and not the publisher, the distributor agrees to immediately notify the publisher of its obligation to submit NIMAS file sets of the purchased products to the NIMAC. This is page ___ of ___ of this contract or purchase order.“ In lieu of, or in addition to, choosing to participate in NIMAC each LEA may directly contract with curriculum publishers to purchase accessible, student-ready versions. In most cases, however, many publishing companies do not have specialized formats available for purchase at this time. 6

What is Core? Engaging all students in the required academic areas –Individualizing/modifying the core curriculum and materials based on student need Utilizing materials from a variety of resources to enhance teaching and learning Timely delivery (at same time as peers) Developing professional learning communities that share information and resources 7

Frequently Asked Questions What is Core? –SEA and/or LEA required subject areas and curriculum What instructional materials can be used to teach the Core? –Any deemed appropriate by the LEA What if publishers won’t provide NIMAS file sets? –The LEA cannot wait-seek other resources or produce your own Do we have to order alternate versions of state-approved textbooks through the online ordering system? –No. But there is no other system with which the state can render processing assistance. If we order materials for eligible students directly from Bookshare, must we notify the state? No. 8