What’s the Status of Your Curriculum?
Crowder’s Guidelines for Curriculum Work
Of all the challenges schools and districts face the adoption or development of a curriculum is one of the greatest. Think simplicity, rich content, and student performance! In the past the quest was easier with the selection of textbooks which led the teacher through a course of study. However, with the advent of state learning standards, textbook companies face awesome challenges to produce texts to meet the breadth of current expectations. Keep in mind that state learning standards are not curriculum; they support it.
In opting into or developing a curriculum, how does this initiative square with the guidelines states below:
- While curricula belong to the community, it needs to be developed within the school or district and by instructional staff with assistance, as needed.
- Think SYSTEM in developing a COMMON CURRICULUM.
- Begin with RICH CONTENT, PERFORMANCE, and STANDARDS.
- Settle upon a UNCOMPLICTED, COMPUTERIZED FORMAT.
- Work with INSTRUCTIONAL UNITS as the DELIVERY SYSTEM.
- Stick to an essential element, LESSONS, to avoid confusion.
- Assure or build in an emphasis on HIGHER ORDER LEARNING SKILLS for all students.
- Highlight STUDENT PERFORMANCE/DOING as the check for understanding.
- Leave room for teacher creativity which may be shared in improving student learning.
- Monitor implementation and adjust as necessary.
- Always be prepared to share with individuals and community.
Attempts in having a curriculum that is weighty or complex in attempting to cover every aspect of learning is doomed. A working curriculum only needs to capture essentials that guarantee equity and excellence. A simple definition of curriculum is clearly captured in the following statement:
Curriculum is the integration of teaching, learning, and assessment within an integrated web.
Dr. Bruce H. Crowder is a senior researcher for Educational Vistas, Inc. His work is primarily focused on creating pathways for deeper learning for all students through student performance and a dynamic curriculum replete with strategic teaching. Dr. Crowder may be reached at bcrowder@edvistas.com