In 2019, the Instructional Quality Commission (IQC) and State Board of Education (SBE) began the process of updating the Mathematics Framework, with the goal of improving math outcomes across the state. After two public comment periods, the California Department of Education (CDE) in collaboration with the IQC and SBE, have extended the timeline to develop a new framework to take action sometime in 2023. 

As soon as SMUSD has received further information from the CDE, we will communicate with SMUSD families and update this webpage accordingly. ​​​​​​​

At SMUSD, we operate on the belief that every student has value and each student's sense of self-worth can grow when they better understand themselves and their emotions. Parents and schools should work side-by-side to give students the tools, skills, and resources they need to be good citizens, good members of their community, and good leaders.
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Social Emotional Learning, or SEL, is a process of developing critical interpersonal skills such as communication, empathy and responsible decision-making. SEL is part of a high-quality education for all students that can serve as a foundation supporting local priorities and goals, such as college and career success, civic engagement, and mental wellness. The development of these skills is also in alignment with our districtwide Portrait of a Graduate vision. Through SEL, children learn how to understand and manage their emotions, think positively, set goals, and interact with others.

At SMUSD, our SEL model is based on the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning, or CASEL framework, which sees SEL as an integral part of education and human development.

In 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation making California the first state to require all students to complete a semester-long course in ethnic studies to earn a high school diploma. The legislation allows a phased-in approach beginning in the 2025-26 school year, with the mandate taking effect starting with the graduating class of 2029-30.

At SMUSD, our plan to implement this mandate is to first offer an Ethnic Studies course as an elective, then add it as the required course. 

At this time, SMUSD does not have an Ethnic Studies curriculum from the state; however, as soon as it is available, we will include it here. ​​​​​​​

SMUSD does not include or offer Critical Race Theory, also known as CRT, in any curriculum in the District. 

California has some of the strongest LGBTQ supportive laws in the country, included in Ca. Ed Code §200s. Per Ca. Ed Code, schools have a duty to protect students and staff from bias, discrimination and harassment (§200-220), as well as a requirement for administration, faculty and staff to intervene if they witness discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying (§234-234.5).

Additionally, per Ca. Ed Code, students have the right to education with no anti-LGBTQ bias, and schools are required to teach about LGBTQ contributions (EC §51500, 51204.5, 60040). Ca. Ed Code also states all instructional and non-instructional materials K-12 must be inclusive of LGBTQ students and families (EC § 51930-51939) and addresses training for certificated staff on supporting LGBTQ youth (§218).

At San Marcos Unified we are up to date in fulfilling all Ca. Ed. Code requirements, including those surrounding the safety, support and inclusion of all students.

At SMUSD we realize that when and how parents and guardians discuss sexual health topics with their student, varies from family to family. 

School districts in California are required to teach comprehensive sexual health education standards once in middle school and once in high school,with an option to offer age-appropriate health education to students in elementary school.  The  Health Education Content Standards for California Public Schools are adopted by the California State Board of Education; however, the curriculum used to teach the standards is selected by the school district. At San Marcos Unified, the Positive Prevention Plus curriculum is used in 5th grade, 8th grade, and 9th grade. 

5th grade

Health education has been a part of the SMUSD elementary curriculum for many years, however, since 2019, this optional curriculum has been postponed due to the pandemic.  

8th grade

At this grade level, concepts taught include physical, social, and emotional changes associated with adolescence, the human reproduction cycle, effectiveness of abstinence in preventing HIV, other STDs, and unintended pregnancy, and more. You can view the complete grade level curriculum here.

9th grade

At this grade level, students receive this unit during biology and concepts taught include life planning, healthy relationships, media and peer pressure, sex trafficking, sexting and more. 

You can view the complete grade level curriculum here.

Parents/gurdians may choose at any time to opt their student out of sexual health education, and SMUSD provides opt out opportunities at school registration as well as before curriculum is introduced.