Curriculum

The Minnesota K–12 Academic Standards are reviewed and revised on a 10-year cycle. The review and revision process for each content area is staggered, based on a schedule approved by the Minnesota Legislature. After revisions are made to each content area, the standards go through a rulemaking process during which the implementation year is set. Also, after revisions are made to the English Language Arts, Mathematics and Science standards, the corresponding Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA / State Exam) and Alternate MCA are developed.

Throughout the State’s process, public input is collected by the Minnesota Department of Education two times as shown in the flowchart below. 

Source: Minnesota Department of Education

Once Minnesota State Standards are adopted, school districts typically have five (5) years to implement the new standards.  The table below shows the most current reviews and the implementation year.  Public school districts adopt the Minnesota State Standards in their entirety.  School districts are not able to opt out of Minnesota State Standards.  The exception to this would be content areas in which Minnesota State Standards do not exist.  For example, there are no Minnesota State Standards for Health.  Therefore, school districts, including ISD 728, typically utilize the national Health standards.

* Delayed by Minnesota Legislature or rulemaking in 2021

Source: Minnesota Department of Education

Once new Minnesota State Standards are adopted, a Curriculum Review Team is established for that content area.  The Curriculum Review Team reviews the recently adopted standards and selects instructional resources that align with the new standards.  Parents are given the opportunity to review materials and give input for each of our curriculum reviews.  In addition to selecting resources to teach the new standards, best instructional practices are evaluated and a training plan for staff is developed.  ISD 728 has made parent involvement in the process a major component and allows all parents to be involved before curriculum is adopted.  For example and during the 2021-2022 school year, families had the opportunity to review and provide input about the new science and world language materials from home and online prior to the District’s adoption and implementation.  An overview of the ISD 728 Curriculum Review Team process can be found here.