Curriculum IQ

 

  • Welcome to Curriculum IQ: Mastering the Art of Curriculum Evaluation

    We're so excited to have you here. As educators, you know that the curriculum we use shapes what and how our students learn. But what happens when the curriculum you have just isn't working? Maybe it's outdated, misaligned with student needs, or lacks the engagement needed to make learning meaningful.

    Imagine this—you're handed a curriculum. It looks great at first glance, but as you start planning, you realize something feels off. Maybe it doesn't align with your students' needs, or the lessons don't match state standards. You and other team members bring this up to your principal. As a result, you and your colleagues are asked to join the Curriculum Vetting Team.

    This is a chance to ensure the materials chosen truly support both teachers and students. The curriculum you select won't just shape lesson plans—it will impact how students learn, engage, and succeed throughout the year.

    In this professional development, you'll gain practical strategies to evaluate curriculum effectively, ensuring it's not just engaging, but also aligned, inclusive, and impactful for all learners.

    Through interactive lessons, real-world examples, and practical tools, you'll learn how to:

    • Analyze curriculum for alignment with learning goals

    • Identify strengths and gaps in instructional materials

    • Make data-driven decisions to support student success

    By the end of this course, you'll feel confident vetting curriculum and advocating for high-quality materials that truly support student learning.

    So, let's get started!

Directions:

Welcome to Curriculum ID: Mastering the Art of Curriculum Evaluation

We're so glad you're here! As you move through this professional development experience, you'll find everything you need within each session, including:

  • Pre-Work – Activities and readings to help you prepare

  • Post-Work – Reflections and follow-up tasks to reinforce learning

  • Session Readings – Key articles and resources to deepen your understanding

  • Additional Materials – Any extra resources to support your learning

When it’s time to complete a session’s pre-work or post-work, you’ll find the necessary links under the Pre-Work and Post-Work tabs.

If you have any questions along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out. Happy learning!

 

Training Objectives:

In this training, you will:

  • Evaluate curriculum materials to ensure alignment and instructional quality.

  • Collaborate with colleagues to develop a curriculum vetting rubric that supports high-quality, equitable learning experiences.

Training Resources:

Please upload the following Zoom background and review the participation expectations prior to the Live Sessions.

 

SESSION 1:

Overview:

In this session, you'll explore key concepts in curriculum vetting, focusing on Bloom’s Taxonomy and curriculum alignment. You'll learn how to:

  • Evaluate curriculum objectives for depth of thinking

  • Identify strengths and gaps in instructional materials

  • Ensure curriculum aligns with learning standards and assessments

Click on the Pre-Work to get started! This will help you prepare for the discussion and make the most of our live session.

SESSION 2:

Overview:

In this session, you'll dive deeper into the concepts of scaffolding and rigor. By the end of this session, you'll be able to:

  • Assess the scaffolding in curriculum to support struggling learners

  • Identify the right level of rigor to challenge students without overwhelming them

Click on the Pre-Work to get started! This will lay the foundation for your active participation in the session.

 
 

SESSION 3:

Overview:

In this session, you'll learn how to evaluate curriculum-based assessments for alignment with standardized testing. You’ll explore strategies to:

  • Identify question types and formats commonly used in standardized tests

  • Assess the rigor and cognitive demand of curriculum assessments using Bloom’s Taxonomy

  • Ensure alignment in content, vocabulary, and expectations between curriculum and high-stakes tests

Click on the Pre-Work to get started! It will prepare you to actively engage in evaluating assessment quality during our session.

  • Use the links below to complete all of the work before attending the live session.

    1. Session 3 Reading

    2. Post Reading Form (Complete after the reading.)

  • Stay tuned…

  • Stay tuned…

 
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