- SGDC 5063 curriculum Leadership

and management

TOPIC 7 :
ALIGNING THE CURRICULUM

PRESENTERS

GAVITA A/P
KANAPATHY

(815212)
MUGILAH A/P
SAGADEVAN

(815237)
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What is a Curriculum?
Textbooks

Curriculum
Guides

Computer
Programs

Scope and
Sequence

Local Board
Policies

Accreditation
Guidelines

Curriculum is a document of some sort,

and its purpose is to focus and connect
the work of classroom teachers in
schools. (English, 1987)
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Aligning the
Curriculum
Curriculum alignment is a process of
ensuring that the written, the taught,
and the tested curricula are closely
congruent.

Curriculum Alignment
Instruction =
Whats Taught

Curriculum =
Whats Written

Assessment =
Whats Tested

Rationale for
Curriculum Alignment

The argument for curriculum alignment is

clear in that school leaders should begin by
asserting the need for a close fit between
the written curriculum and the taught
curriculum.

It is assumed that the written curriculum

represents a district wide consensus about
instructional objectives
The question is about the degree of freedom for
teachers to adapt instructional practices.
Have teacher select and align materials
as
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Rationale for
Curriculum Alignment
Evoking change:
1.
2.

Consciously challenging the status quo

Leading change initiatives with uncertain
outcomes
Systematically considering new and better
practice
Operating at the edge versus the center of the
schools competence - Marzano, Waters, &
McNulty (2005)

3.
4.

Multiple measures are needed to address the full

depth and breadth of expectations for student
learning. (Herman et. al., 2004, p.2)
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Curriculum Design
Categories

Goal Based Designs

Unit and lesson design

setting clear and practical goals that will

expand the curriculum.
rigorous units and lessons involve students and
trying to build on previous knowledge using
real-world examples.

Interventions

assisting teachers in delivery

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Organizing the
Alignment Project

Organizing and aligning requires a

management system for the project.
One effective way to begin is to appoint
a curriculum-alignment task force.
Exhibit 11.1 outlines the steps to be
followed

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Organizational Strategies

Common Core Standards vs.

Integration:
Figure 11.1 provides a clear
comparison of the movement toward
Common Core Standards.
Integration steps:

Sequence
Required vs. elective
Coordination and integration
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The Alignment Curriculum

Steps
1.
2.

3.
4.
5.
6.

7.

Developing Curriculum-Based Test

Correlating The Mastery List And
Instructional Materials
Developing instructional Planning Aids
Identifying The Mastery Objectives
Developing Reporting Materials
Providing Staff Development For The
Alignment Project.
Monitoring And Evaluating The
Alignment Project.
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Alignment Step 1
Identifying Mastery
Objectives

The mastery objectives are those objectives

that are essential for all and require careful
structuring.
Because those objectives are used in
developing both the curriculum-based tests
and the teachers alignment materials.
It is essential that identifying the mastery
objectives be done with care and due
deliberation.
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Alignment Step 2
Developing Curriculum-Based
Tests

The mastery objectives are used to

develop curriculum-based tests.
Schools should develop these tests
with the advice of measurement
experts.

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Measurement Experts
Process

Determine test scope and frequency

Determine how many forms of each test will be
required
For each objective, develop a pool of test items
Construct the pilot forms of the tests and prepare
clear instructions.
Develop a scoring system that will provide
information required to understand and use test
results.
Have content specialists review the tests to
ensure that items are valid and reflects
curricular
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Alignment Step 3
Correlating the Mastery List &
Materials

With tests prepared subject matter

committees should determine
instructional materials to be used.
Committees should develop criteria
(rubrics) that align with the mastery
objectives and compare materials
against the criteria.
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Alignment Step 4
Developing Instructional Planning
Aids

The next component of the alignment

project is developing the instructionalplanning aids.

Yearly planning matrix (pg 344)

Management planning matrix (pg 343)
Unit planning guide (pg 345)

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Scientific Research
Key Questions

Does the program comprehensively cover

evidence based skills that students need?
Has the approach/program been proven
scientifically to work with students?
US Department of Educations Institute of
Education Sciences developed What
Works Clearinghouse as a resource that
provides curriculum leaders with central
and independent scientific evidence.
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Alignment Step 5
Developing Reporting Materials

The task force should determine (in

consultation with administration,
supervisors and teachers) what reporting
materials will be required in the alignment
project.
The following types of materials have been
used in numerous projects:
The planning report
The class diagnostic summary
The individual student repot

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Alignment Step 6
Providing Staff Development

Professional development should be

happening from the onset of the project
throughout to help everyone fulfill their
role successfully.
Once all decisions have been made and
materials have been developed,
administrators and teachers should be
provided in-depth training in order to
make the project successful.
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Alignment Step 7
Monitoring and Evaluating the
Project

Throughout the process, the alignment

project should be monitored to be sure
it is working as planned and then
evaluated to assess its overall
effectiveness.
Two types of monitoring are required.

Administrators should be responsible for

monitoring project management.
Administrators focus on the teachers
implementation of the project at
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Conclusion Of
Curriculum Alignment

Alignment attempts to improve student

achievement by remedying the discrepancy
between the district curriculum guides, the
teachers instructional plans, and the
assessment measures.
An appreciation of contemporary learners
necessitates a need to maximize the
capacity of each learner and to guide and
align the process in order to prepare them
for a world we will never see.
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