5.01
Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Programs
Kindergarten is a one or two-year program prior to grade one
designed to serve as an introduction to the academic environment.
Pre-kindergarten is a one-year program prior to kindergarten. Pre-kindergarten
and kindergarten programs shall provide activities that promote the development
of feelings of self-worth as a learner and the development of skills in the
following areas: social interaction, academic readiness, language expression,
and fine and gross motor coordination. When resources and facilities are
available, school administrative units may provide full-day kindergarten
programs to reduce the risk of school failure.
5.02 Standards and Expectations for Learning
Grades Pre-kindergarten through 4
A. Each
school board operating an elementary school shall adopt a curriculum aligned
with the content standards of the system of Learning Results in up to three
grade spans: Pre-kindergarten-2 and 3-4, and, where appropriate, 5-8. Each
school administrative unit shall determine the instructional methods and
educational materials needed to give each student the opportunity to meet the
content standards of the system of Learning Results. This may include an
extended school day or school year for students who need more than the minimum
time established in Me. Dept of Ed. Reg. 125 to meet the content standards of
the system of Learning Results.
B.
The required content areas for each elementary school student shall include
five content areas of the system of Learning Results as follows: English
Language Arts, Health and Physical Education, Mathematics, Science and
Technology, and Social Studies.
C.
The Comprehensive Education Plan developed by the school administrative unit in
accordance with Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 125 shall address the implementation of
Career Preparation, Modern and Classical Languages, and Visual and Performing
Arts. Effective September 2006 the local curriculum shall include these content
areas for all students contingent upon funding of Essential Programs and
Services or its equivalent.
D. Each
content area of the system of Learning Results is defined by the standards and
performance indicators in Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 131.
NOTE: Until such time as the content list for Health
Education is included in Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 131, health education shall
continue to include instruction in community health, consumer health,
environmental health, family life, growth and development, nutritional health,
personal health including mental and emotional health, prevention and control
of disease and disorders, safety and accident prevention, and substance use and
abuse, including the effects of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.
5.03 Promotion and
Placement Decisions
A. The school board of
each school administrative unit operating an elementary school shall adopt a
policy to govern decisions to promote or retain a student based on information
concerning that student from the Local Assessment System and other indicators
determined by the school board.
B.
For students who transfer into an elementary school from another state or an
educational program that is not required to meet the standards of the system of
Learning Results, the principal of the receiving school shall determine the
value of the prior educational experience in order to make placement
decisions.
