School improvement is the ongoing process by which schools analyze data, review progress, and make decisions that will ensure an excellent education for all students. School improvement is often thought to be the result of curriculum theory that teachers support. If you have been working in a school for more than a few years, you may have worked through a school improvement process. If not, then doing so is most likely in your near future. In this assignment you have the opportunity to practice curriculum leadership by analyzing a school improvement scenario.
Scenario: Dr. Yvonne G. has been a school principal for just 2 years, and she is discouraged. She just received the latest data on student achievement, and instead of improving, the scores were dismal. Based on the standardized tests, students were not achieving levels commensurate with the school’s passing rates or students’ overall grade point averages. Nor were they doing as well as other schools in the district with similar demographics.
Students have scored below the state average now for 2 years. Last year, only 25% of the students were proficient or advanced in math and about 34% of the students were proficient or advanced in literacy. Data from other schools with similar demographics showed that 70% of their students were proficient or advanced in literacy, and over 80% were proficient or advanced in math.
Dr. G is beginning to think her job will be on the line, so she decides to be proactive. She asks to meet with her supervisor and the district curriculum director to determine effective changes. After much dialogue, Dr. G finds that the methods of curriculum implementation in her school are not adequate. To the school’s credit, the district audit revealed that teachers were focused on learning from start to finish. However, it also revealed that while grade level teachers met weekly, there were no meetings between upper and lower grades teachers. There was some question as to how teachers were addressing state standards. Furthermore, the district was concerned that teachers were not being evaluated effectively, meaning that while paperwork was completed correctly, the district questioned how teachers were being coached in research-based teaching methodology.
Dr. G is convinced that her teachers are teaching the required content but have difficulty teaching it effectively. The teachers use state-approved textbooks and work page by page. One problem uncovered is that teachers have little concrete knowledge that their students are learning required material from day to day, week to week. Students are not writing much—teachers use multiple-choice tests almost exclusively.
Dr. G asks teacher-leaders in her school to meet with her to define curriculum, research curriculum theories, and overcome the challenge of poor student learning. She asked the team to review the audit findings and her notes on areas that needed strengthening.
After several meetings, the team elects you as their spokesperson to lead the discussion in the next faculty meeting. What are the theoretical curriculum approaches that you will recommend to the faculty to increase student achievement? Based on this scenario, you will research curriculum approaches to determine how they impact student learning.
Create a 10- to 12-slide presentation, with detailed speaker notes, in which you share the research you’ve completed and communicate the curriculum approach you would recommend to faculty for improving student learning. Complete the following in your presentation:
Explain your interpretation of the problem in the scenario.
Research and describe 3 curriculum approaches of your choice. Include the following for each approach:
Purpose
Aims and goals
Typical method of instructional delivery
Choose ONE curriculum approach from the three described above that will improve student learning in the scenario.
Justify the selected curriculum approach based on research and theory.
Outline an implementation strategy for future use, including:
Explanation of desired outcomes for students
Materials and/or resources needed
Training and support resources for staff prior to adoption
Sample Solution
