| An Approvable Curriculum |
| Approvability The concept of "approvability" is, at best, arbitrary and at worst, downright unfair because it is so subjective. Courses, and thus to an extent at least, curricula need to be "approved" under Chapter 74. Whether or not a course is approved involves a visit -- sometimes called a Chapter 74 Audit -- conducted by the Department of Education. The Audit is conducted by an evaluator, usually in conjunction with an accreditation visit from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the NEASC. Many factors are involved in a program's approvability. They include the following... |
| The "Nine Approval Factors..." of Chapter 74 4.05 Organization a) Advisory Committees b) Distinctive Management 4.06 Control 4.07 Location - "suitable facilities" 4.08 Equipment 4.09: Competency Based Courses of Study (1) "There must be a curricular integration of academic and vocational technical education programs. In a vocational technical setting, all teachers, vocational techniccal education and academic, have the responsibility for the improvement and reinforcement of the basic academic competencies of their students." (2) "... shall submit the proposed courses of study showing the proposed instructional objectives, including expected student competencies, scope, content, order or presentation of content and anticipated cost. In addition, the school shall submit labor market data demonstrating the need for the program as well as the competencies taught in the program. The course of study must include a safety plan for the use and maintenance of the equipment." (3) "Approval of competency-based courses of study shall be based upon the quality of the teaching program, direct relationship of expected competencies to actual job requirements, coordination of program levels and integration with other programs, capacity for articulation with post-secondary or higher education programs, responsiveness to occupational outlook based upon comprehensive labor market data, cost effectiveness and efficient use of student time. All curricula developed or used shall be free of sex/race bias and stereotyping." (4) "Student achievement should be monitored and documented in a competency reporting system based on the performance standards of a competency-based M.G.L. c. 74 vocational technical education program." (603 CMR 4:00) 4.10 Qualifications of Vocational Technical Education Personnel - Vocational Approval of staff - Annual professional improvement 4.11 Methods of Instruction - Related Instruction - Placement 4.12 Conditions of Admission - Admission Plan 4.13 Employment of Pupils - Co-op supervision - Insurance - Public Projects 4.14 Expenditures |