Curriculum Renewal Process
Curriculum, instruction and assessment are related to each other. An exploration of any one of these concepts must therefore be linked to the other two. Perhaps one way of understanding these relationships is that curriculum informs instruction, which informs assessment, which in turn informs curriculum. The reverse is also true. Hence, it is a never-ending, two-way cyclical process.
(Reprinted from the Surrey Leadership Academy)
The Pittsfield Public Schools Curriculum Renewal Process uses this research-based approach in the development of standards-based curriculum. The Curriculum Renewal Process has been developed to use data analysis is a continuous improvement model, which focuses on the identification of student performance with respect to grade level standards and academic expectations as the outcome of a well-developed program of study.
1. Data Analysis and Curriculum Frameworks Review
The foundation of curriculum development for all content areas is the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks standards. The standards identify the developmental and academic progress for student performance across grade levels with the goal of producing an educated, literate, and self-sufficient adult learner and worker. In addition, assessment data is used to not only monitor student progress, but all to determine the effectiveness of the curriculum in providing students the knowledge needed to demonstrate meeting and exceeding the standards. In this phase of the Curriculum Renewal Process administrators from the curriculum department, principals, and representative teachers review the standards and student assessment data to determine if the curriculum is aligned to the standards, there are gaps and overlaps in the curriculum, and the curriculum provides the students the content knowledge needed for attaining proficiency.
2. Development of Standards-based Pacing Guides and Grade Level Benchmarks
Using the standards to identify grade level content, Curriculum Pacing guides will be developed to include performance learning standards, resources, and suggested instructional strategies based on the academic year timeline. Benchmark assessments will be developed to evaluate student learning and to identify strengths and challenges that need to be addressed in the curriculum.
3. Assessment for Progress Monitoring
For a given time period, benchmark assessments will assess student learning and monitor student progress with respect to standards. The analysis of this data will be used to identify curricular needs and student intervention strategies.
4. Identification and Selection of Resources (Pilot)
Using multiple forms of data analysis (i.e. benchmark and statewide assessments), instructional resources will be selected for pilot at appropriate grade levels. With continued progress monitoring, the effectiveness of these instructional resources to inform curriculum will be determined. In addition to core instruction resources, resources for intervention and remediation will also be identified and piloted.
5. Implementation of Standards-based Curriculum (Adoption)
Instructional resources determined to be most effective in meeting standards and promoting student achievement will be recommended for adoption. The implementation of the standards-based curriculum with effective instruction, regular student progress monitoring with assessments, and appropriate interventions will be used to continuously improve and evaluate the curriculum.
6. Ongoing professional Development
The initiation of the curriculum renewal process, development of pacing guides, and selection of resources, and effective implementation of a standards-based curriculum requires ongoing and systemic professional development. School based Whole Faculty Study Groups (WFSG) use data analysis to identify a specific issue to guide the work of the teachers. Other collaborative workshop groups can also be used. To improve instruction, professional development that is content-based or pedagogical, such as Effective Daily Instruction (EDI) will be provided. For appropriate content areas, coaching can be used in the development of effective instructional strategies to increase student achievement and in support of building initiatives, programs, and the strategic plan.
Curriculum Renewal Process
- Data analysis and Curriculum Frameworks Review
- Development of standards-based Pacing guides and grade level benchmarks
- Assessment for progress monitoring
- Identification and Selection of Resources (Pilot)
- Implementation of standards-based curriculum using effective instructional practices, assessments and interventions (Adoption)