Curriculum Review Framework
How might we ensure that all learners have an equitable learning experience that exemplifies the district mission and goals?
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Engaging in an ongoing curricular review process is key to meeting the goals of the district! Incorporating feedback from stakeholders and engaging in research will ensure that there is a correlation between learner experiences and the outcomes desired by the district. Findings and expectations are easily and clearly communicated to the academic community. Below are the common 8 stages to an effective curriculum review.
Curriculum review in a K-12 setting is a major undertaking and requires that formation of curriculum committees. In this collaborative structure horizontal and vertical alignment to the NYS standards is analyzed and ongoing research into the current instructional practices is conducted. The committee begins to craft a preferred vision of the future with action steps that are followed. During the review process other areas of need may emerge as well. Thus, curriculum review is an ongoing and iterative process that is grounded in the belief of continuous improvement. It is also an opportunity for educators across a K-12 system to collaborate and support one another in a nurturing environment that further cultivates meaning and purpose.
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Every year feedback is sought from families, learners, and teachers to support us in further refining our practices and curriculum. This occurs in both formal and informal structures such as surveys and Professional Learning Communities. The information garnered supports teacher teams in conjunction with their instructional leader in further reviewing the curriculum.
Curriculum Audit
Unpacking the reading and writing standards as well as the Social Studies Framework and NGSS standards served as the basis for the curriculum audit. Identifying areas of strength and areas of growth were instrumental in the creation of our action steps. The staff coalesced around this work and created the integrated curriculum.
Integrating SEL
Unpacking the NYS SEL Benchmarks and the CASEL Core Competencies served as the basis for integrating SEL into Academic Objectives. Utilizing the newly reviewed and created integrated curriculum supported us in this next curricular review step.
Writing Audit
Going back to the writing standards as well as the language standards, we further unpacked what was expected of leaners. We are using this knowledge as well as our expertise to create a vision of writing for our learners.