Choosing the right curriculum is one of the most crucial decisions school leaders make to ensure academic success for their scholars. The curriculum forms the backbone of teaching and learning in any educational institution, influencing everything from scholar engagement to achievement outcomes. TNTP’s Opportunity Myth explores how resources and instruction have continued to fail our scholars, especially for historically marginalized populations, scholars with disabilities, English language learners, and low-income families. We can change that narrative! Let’s explore effective strategies and tools that you can utilize to select high-quality curriculum.
Before diving into the selection process, start by defining a high-quality curriculum and what you are looking for in a curriculum.
In our work with schools, we define a high-quality curriculum as one that:
- Is Aligned with Standards: It should fully align with state or national standards, ensuring that it covers the necessary knowledge and skills that scholars are expected to learn.
- Honors Scholar Identity: It includes materials that reflect the learners' lived experiences and identities. It supports ALL learners, including scholars with disabilities, English language learners, and scholars who need enrichment.
- Fosters Engagement, Collaboration, and Community: It supports creating a collaborative environment and provides opportunities for voice and choice.
- Includes Flexible, Formative Assessment: It integrates ongoing formative assessment strategies to frequently monitor scholar progress and adjust instruction accordingly.
- Provides Opportunities for Reflection and Feedback: It incorporates intentional spaces for scholars to reflect on their learning and give and receive action-oriented feedback.
Shared Responsibility of the Process Includes:
- Teacher Involvement: Teachers are on the front lines and understand their scholars' interests and needs best. Involving them in the curriculum selection process ensures buy-in at implementation time.
- Parent and Community Engagement: Parents and community members bring valuable perspectives and expectations. Their involvement can provide insights into the relevance of curriculum content and its potential impact on our scholar learning beyond the classroom.
- Scholar Input: Our learners are the ultimate beneficiaries of the curriculum. Gathering their input helps ensure that the curriculum is engaging, relevant, and meaningful to their educational journey.
In an era of data-driven decision-making, we have access to various tools and resources to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of curriculum options. Such as What Works Clearinghouse (WWC), an initiative of the U.S. Department of Education that reviews research on the different programs, products, practices, and policies in education. The WWC provides us with evidence-based information to make informed decisions about curriculum selection.
When Using the What Works Clearinghouse:
- Define Criteria: Start by identifying specific criteria and priorities for your curriculum search. This could include alignment with standards, research-based practices, etc.
- Search and Compare: Use the WWC website to find curriculum options that match your criteria. The WWC provides ratings and reviews based on rigorous evidence standards, helping you compare different options.
- Review Findings: Examine the WWC's findings and ratings for each curriculum option. Pay attention to details such as effectiveness ratings, supporting research, and alignment with your specific educational goals.
- Consult Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The WWC also publishes meta-analyses and reviews of broader educational practices. These can provide valuable insights into effective teaching strategies and instructional methods.
- Consider Contextual Factors: While evidence-based research is crucial, consider how well a curriculum aligns with the unique needs and characteristics of your school community. Factors such as scholar demographics, school culture, and available resources should also influence your decision-making process.
In addition to the What Works Clearinghouse, there are other tools and resources that you can leverage to identify evidence-based and high-quality curriculum:
- Educational Research Journals: Peer-reviewed journals in education often publish studies and reviews on effective curriculum practices and interventions.
- Professional Organizations: Organizations such as ASCD, NCTM, and NSTA provide resources, research articles, and recommendations on curriculum and instructional practices.
- Local and State Education Departments: Your state or local education department may have curated lists of approved curriculum options that meet specific standards and guidelines, such as CuRaTe for Massachusetts.
- Educational Conferences and Workshops: Attending conferences and workshops focused on curriculum and instruction can provide insights into emerging trends and effective practices in education.
School leaders have a critical responsibility in selecting high-quality curriculum. By leveraging shared responsibility and utilizing available tools, you can make well-informed decisions that support high levels of learning for ALL learners. As you embark on the curriculum selection journey, remember that the ultimate goal is to provide every scholar with an engaging, rigorous, and meaningful educational experience.
