Curriculum Committee Training

Curriculum 101
CPS Board of Education Training
What is curriculum?
What will be taught?: The plan made for guiding instruction in the schools

 ●   Documents used by different layers of the organization (Board, Admin, Coaches, Teachers)

How it will be taught?: The plan for implementation in the classroom

 ●   As experienced by learners
 ●   As is observed
 ●   The “stuff” used to teach (texts, technology, software, workbooks, etc.)
 ●   The priority it will be given (e.g., time in the master schedule)

What has been learned?: The method used to gather information on what students have
learned

 ●   Assessments
What guides curriculum development?
What is a Board’s Responsibility?
State Law

  ●   Sec. 10-18a (Representation within textbooks)
  ●   Sec. 10-220 (Adequate and equitable access to supplies and resources - establish a curriculum committee)
  ●   Sec. 10-221 (Establish rules for the management and selection of textbooks and internet content)
  ●   Sec. 10-228 (Free textbooks, supplies, materials and equipment)
  ●   Sec. 10-229 (Change of textbooks)

Board Policy

5000 Series - Students
  ●   High School Graduation Requirements
6000 Series - Instruction
  ●   Nondiscrimination in the Instructional Program Policy
  ●   Policy Regarding: Early College Placement
  ●   Controversial Issues
  ●   Curricular Exemptions Policy
  ●   Equipment, Books, and Materials
  ●   Distance Education Virtual/Online Courses
What do we hope curriculum will be?
Example:                                                           Non-Example:

 1.   Curriculum promotes innovative thinking for a dynamic         1.   A list of facts and information that leaves little room for
      world.
                                                                         student discussion, argument, or thinking.
 2.   A map and a resource that provides educators with the
      ability to focus on planning instruction in response to       2.   The product of a teacher’s nightly search for resources
      learners’ academic needs and interests.                            or no plan at all.
 3.   Curriculum reflects the needs and interests of learners       3.   Each educator’s individual decision on what to teach
      and the community.                                                 learners.
 4.   Curriculum is built upon the research regarding how
                                                                    4.   Curriculum is at odds with the research on how
      students learn.
 5.   Curriculum is flexible in that it can be adjusted to build         students learn
      upon learners’ prior knowledge and experiences in             5.   The curriculum is set. The curriculum can’t be adjusted
      order to strengthen the development of their skills and            to meet the needs or interests of learners, including
      expand their knowledge.                                            remediation or extension.
 6.   The curriculum outlines for educators a PreK-12
      learning trajectory that builds over time.                    6.   There is no long-term vision for learning, so educators
 7.   Educators are provided with the resources they need                operate as annual “independent contractors”.
      to fully implement what is the guaranteed curriculum.         7.   Educators have to limit learning experiences because
                                                                         resources are limited or unavailable year-over-year.
What is a curriculum revision cycle?
                 YEAR ONE   YEAR TWO   YEAR THREE   YEAR FOUR   YEAR FIVE   YEAR SIX




Program
Evaluation



Curriculum
Development


Implementation
and
Professional
Development


Monitor and
Adjust
What answers might a Board seek when reviewing a
curriculum?
●   Does the vision for this curriculum align with the District mission and vision?
●   Do the goals for the curriculum align with District goals?
●   Does the curriculum address the needs of all learners?
●   Can this curriculum be supported financially (including both staffing and
    resources)?
●   Can this curriculum be implemented? (professional development, time, etc.)
●   To what extent is this curriculum relevant?
What is the Board approving?
REGULATORY ROLES FOR CURRICULUM REVISION

TEACHER                   PROFESSIONAL LEARNING     DISTRICT/CURRICULUM         BOARD OF EDUCATION
                          COMMUNITY                 COMMITTEE

Lesson plans              Unit pacing               Course maps                 New courses

Supplemental resources    Common formative          Common performance          Additional curriculum
                          assessments               assessments                 resources

Essential questions       Enduring understandings   Curricular goals            Instructional technology

Formative and summative   Essential instructional   Curricular vision
assessments               strategies

                                                    Instructional framework

                                                    Scope and sequence

                                                    Priority standards

                                                    Essential texts/resources