February
2009
Individual Reflection – Week 7 Curriculum Theory0
Describe the steps you would take as a principal to ensure that the curriculum is implemented and assessed at the classroom and school levels so that students learn the intended content.
I would take a 5 step approach to ensure that curriculum is implemented and assessed at the classroom and school levels.
1. Provide curriculum materials
I will make sure that all teachers have access to curriculum materials. This includes teaching guides, student materials, and any supplemental materials. I would also make sure they have the curriculum standards. I found the district ones were not that easy to find. For veteran teachers I would make sure their materials were up to date.
2. Assign a teacher mentor
For new teachers entering my school I would assign them a curriculum mentor. This would be their go to person for any curriculum questions.
3. Arrange for curriculum supervisor to do a curriculum overview
At the beginning of the year I would arrange for curriculum supervisors to come in during lunch periods. This would be an informal time for the teachers to ask questions and clarify different aspects of the curriculum.
4. Provide professional development on formative assessment
Teachers should not wait until the end of the year to see how students are doing in a particular area, nor should they wait for end of unit tests. I have found that teachers and schools are very good at summative assessment but need help in formative. I would provide some training and tools to assist teachers in implementing formative assessment.
5. Analyze and review test results with staff.
The final piece is to review your summative assessment data and analyze it for needed areas of improvement. The data would then be shared with the staff and we would make a plan on how we would address our areas of need.
Throughout the above steps, I would try to implement various technology tools for teaching, collaboration and sharing.
