Curriculum and Reform

Curriculum and Reform

1. Curriculum

   • the lessons and academic content taught in a school
   • In dictionaries
     • the courses offered by a school
   • refers to the knowledge and skills students are expected to learn
     • includes
       • learning standards or learning objectives
         • the units and lessons that teachers teach
         • the assignments and projects given to students
         • the books, materials, videos, presentations, and readings used in a course
       • tests
         • assessments
         • other methods used to evaluate student learning
   • individual teacher’s curriculum
     • would be the specific
       • learning standards
       • lessons
       • assignments
       • materials used to organize and teach a particular course

2. Reform

   • are broadly intended to either mandate or encourage greater curricular standardization and consistency
   • representative examples of the ways in which curriculum is targeted for improvement
     • Standards requirements
       • teachers typically modify what they teach and bring their curriculum into “alignment” with the learning expectations outlined in the new standards.
     • Assessment requirements
       • standardized testing and high-stakes testing
         • can give rise to a phenomenon informally called “teaching to the test.”
       • schools may also use rubrics
     • Curriculum alignment:
       • create a more consistent and coherent academic program
     • Curriculum philosophy
       • curriculum reform may occur through the adoption of a different philosophy or model of teaching by a school or educator.
     • Curriculum packages
       • schools decide to purchase or adopt a curriculum package that has been developed by an outside organization
     • Curriculum resources
     • Curriculum standardization
       • States, districts, and schools may also try to improve teaching quality and effectiveness
     • Curriculum scripting
       • the scripting of curriculum is the most prescriptive form of standardized, prepackaged curriculum