The Quality Curriculum Cycle (QCC) provides a systematic means for making decisions about curriculum review, revision, development, and adoption of practices and instructional resources in Mathematics, Science, World Languages, Social Studies, Fine Arts, English Language Arts, English Language Development, Physical Education and Health.
A content area Project Team is charged to complete the following:
(1) Description and evaluation of the current program
(2) Review of current research on effective practices and programs
(3) Philosophy/Position Paper articulating a vision and direction for the program
(4) Recommendations for instructional and assessment practices
(5) Recommendations for instructional materials
(6) Recommendations for professional development and implementation support
(7) Budget Implications
Regular opportunities for input from all staff, parents, students and other community members are provided.
After completion of the work listed above, a report is submitted to the School Board for approval.
Three groups are central to this work: the School Board, the Project Team, and District Staff (Teaching & Learning Department Staff and Teacher Cadre members).
SCHOOL BOARD
The School Board has the responsibility to prescribe the course of study and instructional materials for the District in accordance with State law. The School Board, by District policy and administrative regulations, charges the Superintendent to form Project Teams to conduct curriculum reviews and prepare recommendations for the Board. The Board receives regular updates on this work as it progresses. The Board makes the final decisions regarding the recommendations for curriculum, instructional materials, and instruction and assessment practices that come from the Project Team.
PROJECT TEAMS
Project Teams are created by the Superintendent at the direction of the School Board for the purpose of providing a thorough review of the current curriculum area program and making recommendations regarding materials to purchase, instruction and assessment practices, and professional development for teachers to the Board. Project Team members agree to serve for a minimum of two years. Parents, students, and other community members join teachers, administrators and a School Board member on the Project Team. The application process is administered by Community Involvement and Teaching & Learning departments. Once the roster is determined, it is presented to the Board for affirmation.
Team members are expected to fulfill multiple roles as they work to serve the School Board and the community by providing recommendations that reflect educational research, a broad range of viewpoints, and current program effectiveness. One of the key challenges of the Project Team is to engage as many individuals among staff and the community in the process as possible. The Project Team typically meets once or twice per month during the school year. It does not meet during the summer.
TEACHER CADRES
Cadre members are recommended teachers selected by Teaching & Learning to provide classroom-based expertise to support the process. Cadre members supply background information, prepare initial drafts of documents, and make revisions of drafts based on Project Team direction. Cadre members also support communication to teachers across the District during the process. Several Cadre members also serve simultaneously on the Project Team to enhance the link between the two groups.
TEACHING & LEARNING SUPPORT
The Administrators for Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment take the lead in coordinating and supporting the Project Team and help facilitate Project Team meetings. Curriculum specialists are assigned to support the Project Team, help facilitate meetings, and coordinate the Teacher Cadre’s work in support of the Project Team. The Administrator for Accountability supports the review of current program data, a critical element of the QCC.
