CIC Schedule for 07-08
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Forms & Documents

By-Laws
Form 1, E Book/Tech Order
Form 1-A, General Proposal
Form 1-B, Instr Materials Search
Form 1-C, New Course Proposal

Minutes

Minutes: June 4, 2008
Minutes for 07-08 school-year

About the CIC

What does CIC stand for?

The CIC is an acronym for the Portage Public Schools Curriculum Instruction Council. CIC meets once a month to discuss District curriculum, instruction, and assessment decisions and initiatives regarding all grade levels and programs.

What does the CIC do?

All District curriculum, instruction, and assessment decisions and initiatives regarding all grade levels and programs emanate from the CIC at their monthly meetings.

What is the purpose of the CIC?

To design, implement, communicate and perpetuate a district-wide system that will facilitate on-going research into and development of standards, competencies, assessments, vertical/horizontal coordination, and professional development of curriculum and instruction.

Who makes up the membership of the CIC?

CIC membership is made up of K-12 core and encore teacher Team Leaders and representatives from building administrators, central office administrators, support staffs, the Board of Education, and parent/community members - 53 members in all.

What has the CIC accomplished recently?

Highlights of the CIC's accomplishments in the past five years were:

• Completing a detailed audit of the district's K-12 curriculum to determine its alignment with the State of Michigan Curriculum Framework.
• Establishing K-12 teacher/parent Writing Teams that established district outcomes and benchmarks which align with the State of Michigan Curriculum Framework.
• Establishing over 35 grade level/course teacher Writing Teams that wrote and continue to revise new district curricula which supports district outcomes and benchmarks.
• Developing, revising, and implementing a District Quarterly Assessment Program that assesses student proficiencies against district benchmarks.
• Reviewing and approving curriculum instructional materials that support new district curricula.
• Reviewing and approving professional development initiatives that support and extend new curricula and instruction.
• Reviewing and approving new courses and programs that support district outcomes and benchmarks.
• Promoting the yearly publication of K-12 District Curriculum Guides for core and encore subjects.
• Adopting Dimensions of Learning as the district's instructional framework.
• Winning recognition of the International Baccalaureate Organization for both Portage high schools as IBO schools.

How does the CIC determine its initiatives and actions?

• From the goals of the district's long-range Strategic Planning Committee.
• From the CIC's own "Philosophy of Instruction, Learning, and Assessment (The Written, Taught, and Tested Curriculum)"
• From proposals brought to it by teachers, administrators, students, parents, and community groups.

How does such a large group efficiently deal with the business of curriculum, instruction, and assessment?

Through its standing sub-committees:

The Steering Committee - a small group of CIC members (teachers, administrators, parents, and Board of Education representatives) who meet once a month to review new proposals and initiatives, research and study them, and make recommendations to the CIC regarding them.

The Elementary Committee, the Middle School Committee, and the High School Committee - three committees that discuss and study K-5, 6-8, and 9-12 grade level issues. They may receive directives from the CIC to review appropriate proposals and make recommendations as well as instigate proposals to the CIC.

The Human Growth and Development Committee - by state law, any portion of any curriculum or instructional material that deals with human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases must go through a community approval process. This committee, made up of teachers, administrators, parents and community members, reviews and makes appropriate decisions.

The Bylaws and Review Committee - annually reviews the CIC bylaws and practices and makes recommendations to the CIC for any changes necessary.

The Cultural Diversity Committee - focuses on issues of cultural diversity connected with curriculum, instructional materials, instruction, and professional development.

The Software and Technology Committees - reviews and provides the CIC with verification for any proposed software or technology to be used for instructional purposes to be sure it meets district standards, budget, and capabilities.

Also, prior to each of its monthly meetings, CIC members receive copies from the district Curriculum and Assessment Office of all current proposals and attachments along with recommendations and rationales from the Steering Committee and/or other standing sub-committees regarding the proposals. CIC members have the opportunity to study these materials and be prepared to question and discuss the proposals and recommendations at the CIC meetings prior to taking a vote on each.

How can I find out what the CIC is doing?

• By reading about CIC business as reported in the monthly "District Bulletin" and by visiting the CIC web site.
• By receiving CIC reports at monthly grade group/department meetings.
• By talking with grade group and department Team Leaders and other CIC members.
• Parents and community members can also access the district website to get information about the CIC and its actions.

How can I get involved with district curriculum, instructional, and assessment development?

• By taking an active role in grade group or departmental meetings.
• By signing up for professional development opportunities in district initiatives such as Dimensions of Learning, Writing Across theCurriculum, Differentiated Instruction, Integrated Learning, etc.
• By volunteering to take part in grade level or course Curriculum Writing Teams.
• By keeping abreast of the latest learning theory and best practice by becoming a member of state and national educational organizations.