High performing school divisions are continuously seeking feedback and reflecting on methods to improve their operations to meet their vision and mission. In that regard, ACPS recently concluded a review of the division-developed curriculum with the goal of improving student learning and achievement. The ACPS curriculum, launched in 2011, was designed to “provide a rigorous, relevant and internationally benchmarked education to enable all students to succeed as citizens in the global community.” A curriculum is considered a “road map” to guide and inform the learning process and includes information for teachers to aid in instruction.
To conduct the review, ACPS sought the expertise of an external and independent evaluator. McRel International, a non-profit, non-partisan education research and development organization was selected competitively to conduct this work. McRel researchers reviewed the written curriculum documents, interviewed staff, conducted focus groups of students, teachers, and administrators, administered surveys to school staff and parents, and conducted classroom observations. We would like to thank the parents who contributed to this evaluation including the 1,358 parents who responded to the parent survey.
The goals of the evaluation were to determine the alignment between the written curriculum and state standards as well as the alignment to the tested and taught curriculum. In addition, ACPS sought input on how the curriculum met the needs of special populations and the level of classroom engagement and rigor. The evaluation also sought feedback on the extent to which teachers and staff had the support they needed to deliver the curriculum in a way to improve student learning.
The final report submitted to the Board and reported out on September 29 included 32 strengths and 29 recommendations. The report commended the curriculum’s inclusion of a variety of diverse learning experiences including group work, individual work, and project-based learning. Survey results indicate that parents’ perceptions of student learning at ACPS are positive. Parents also perceived ACPS as meeting the academic needs of their children. Perceptions of rigor and student engagement in ACPS classrooms were also high with parents of elementary students having the most positive perceptions.
Four themes emerged from the recommendations including the usability of written curriculum documents; usability of data from Transfer Tasks (assessments); meeting the needs of diverse learners; and how professional development supports curriculum implementation. In addition to these four themes and their discrete recommendations, additional recommendations emerged including:
- Reach a common understanding of what rigor is and with it looks like in classrooms at all education levels.
- Build communication strategies to help middle and high school parents better understand how homework assignments and teacher feedback help their children reach academic goals.
- Build communication strategies and support opportunities to help middle and high school parents understand how their children are being served by ACPS special education services.
The Department of Curriculum and Instruction has already initiated steps toward responding to the recommendations of the review. A three-year Curriculum Project Work Plan was presented to the Board identifying desired results, specific deliverables, action steps, and a project timeline addressing the four themes mentioned above. Specific deliverables include efforts to:
- incorporate teacher voices into the curriculum revision process;
- update ACPS written curriculum guides to reflect feedback from stakeholders;
- select and purchase a web-based searchable platform to house the ACPS curriculum;
- provide professional development to support teachers in meeting the needs of diverse learners; and
- work with teachers to create exemplar lesson plans aligned to units.
In the coming months, parents will receive additional communication and have an opportunity to learn more about next action steps in advancing division curriculum priorities. Parent input will be essential as ACPS moves forward with efforts to continually improve the quality of instruction to promote student learning. ACPS is committed to ensuring Every Student Succeeds in partnership with you!
Read the full report, Board presentation and presentation of next steps.