44-38. Academic Freedom
Bargaining unit members shall have the right to choose to supplement school curriculum with lessons, units and learning activities that according to their professional judgment will meet the needs of their students as long as the supplemental materials meet the policies and parameters established by the Board of Education and school administration. Inclusive, but not limited to, Illinois Learning Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards, state mandates on Black history, genocide and Holocaust study, Disability Rights Movement, LGBTQ contributions, culturally responsive teaching and learning standards, Reparations Won, CPS on interdisciplinary Latin American studies, TEAACH ACT, Native American history, and antiracist curriculum, etc.
CPS Curriculum Policies require that all students must be engaged in a curriculum that is standards-aligned, horizontally and vertically aligned, inclusive of Social Emotional Learning, designed for meeting the needs of English learners and students with disabilities, and culturally responsive.
44-38.1.
If a student, parent, administrator, or other individual challenges or complains about lesson content, the teacher shall be given notice and an opportunity to respond in a private conference between the teacher and a school administrator. If the lesson content is restricted by a school or District administrator, the reasons for this decision shall be provided to the teacher in writing. The teacher shall have the right to raise any concerns regarding such determinations at a school PPC meeting for resolution by consensus between the PPC and the Principal, which will serve as the process for resolving these concerns. In the event that the school PPC and the Principal cannot resolve said matter, it shall be referred to the district level Union and CPS Text Committee for consideration and resolution.
44-38.1(a).
The evaluation of teaching should not be influenced or impacted by differences of opinion and disagreements among the faculty or between the faculty and the Administration as long as it is aligned with the District’s curriculum policies. Teachers shall be entitled to the freedom of discussion, within the classroom on all matters relevant to the subject matter under study, provided that there is a reasonable effort to ensure that all the facts concerning controversial issues are presented in a scholarly and objective manner and are appropriate for the age and maturity level of the students.
44-38.1(b).
School curriculum adoption and implementation shall be consistent across grade-level bands (K–2, 3–5, 6–8) and content areas to ensure a coherent student learning experience. Grade bands or content teams with curricula that meet the expectations, policies, and parameters established by the Board of Education and school administration are not required to adopt a different curriculum.
44-38.2.
The BOARD and the UNION, through the district level Union and CPS Text Committee, will meet quarterly to review and discuss concerns regarding Skyline, the district-provided digital curriculum, and its content, adoption and implementation, making every effort to address these concerns.