The purpose of curriculum is to guide the instruction of skills, knowledge, understandings, and attitudes necessary for students to realize success in continuing education settings, the work place, and in twenty-first century society. While the curriculum maps a general plan of development for all students, it also recognizes the characteristics unique to each individual and provides a process for development and expression of each student s potential and talents. Academic standards and benchmarks are the focus for classroom teaching and learning because they are the core learning expectations for a student. Standards describe the broadest level of expected student learning.
Benchmarks identify the critical learnings for students at each grade level.
Communication - The Catalina Foothills School District and the state of Arizona use the standards and benchmarks as a way of communicating the academic expectations and progress of each student to the community, parents, and students. Curriculum - The standards and benchmarks are the framework to which the full curriculum is attached. The curriculum defines the full course of study, topics, and skills that students will learn. There is a scope and sequence so that each grade builds upon the learning of the previous year. This prepares students for success at the next grade level.