Chapter 4: Curriculum and Activities

Relationship building between school and the community is established through effective two-way communication between educators and constituencies. Major changes in curriculum or activities can create serious public problems. This is especially true when such changes involve academic issues that are charged with emotions. For example, the mandates requiring that human sexuality education become part of the K-12 curriculum became a major issue in many communities. The way school leaders chose to deal with this new phenomenon affected whether the school sank or swam in the new sea of sexuality. Both the curriculum and the activity program are replete with blocks that can trip the best principals. Fortunately, good public relations practices can ease tension accompanying issues involving curriculum and activities.