Drawing by Mankoff: copyright 1993 The New Yorker Magazine, Inc.

Implementing Science Implementing Science Curriculum ReformCurriculum Reform

Matthew T. MarinoMatthew T. Marino

Professional Development Center CoordinatorProfessional Development Center Coordinator

University of ConnecticutUniversity of Connecticut

matthewmatthew..marinomarino@@huskymailhuskymail..uconnuconn..eduedu

Curriculum Reform OverviewCurriculum Reform Overview

Step 1 - Justify a change in the existing curriculumStep 1 - Justify a change in the existing curriculum

Step 2 - Create a profile of your school Step 2 - Create a profile of your school

Step 3 - Design a curriculum reform guideStep 3 - Design a curriculum reform guide

Justify a change in the existing Justify a change in the existing curriculumcurriculum

National, state, or National, state, or district rankingsdistrict rankings

Test scores (local, Test scores (local, district, state, national)district, state, national)

Portfolio reviewsPortfolio reviews Writing assessments / Writing assessments /

samplessamples Quantitative measures Quantitative measures

from similar programsfrom similar programs

National, state, or National, state, or district reform initiativesdistrict reform initiatives

Interviews with Interviews with stakeholdersstakeholders

Comparisons with other Comparisons with other programs using artifacts programs using artifacts and observationsand observations

Current “best practices” Current “best practices” researchresearch

Quantitative Measures Qualitative Measures

0

20

40

60

80

100

District (CMT) State (CMT) National (NAEP) International

Performance on Science Assessments

MontgomeryAverageRichford

Step 1 - Do we need to reform?

Step 2 - Create a Profile of Your SchoolStep 2 - Create a Profile of Your School

Who are your clientele?Who are your clientele? (students, parents, community members)(students, parents, community members)

What is their socio-economic status?What is their socio-economic status? (Percentage of students on free and reduced hot lunch)(Percentage of students on free and reduced hot lunch)

Does the current school climate support curriculum change?Does the current school climate support curriculum change? Are there any existing grants to support the change?Are there any existing grants to support the change? What community resources are available?What community resources are available? What state resources are available?What state resources are available?

(DOE, colleges & universities, consultants)(DOE, colleges & universities, consultants)

How can the new curriculum complement the school’s vision and mission How can the new curriculum complement the school’s vision and mission statements?statements?

How does the proposed change relate to local, state, and federal reform How does the proposed change relate to local, state, and federal reform initiatives? initiatives?

Questions to Consider:

Administrative QuestionsAdministrative Questions Is the reform necessary?Is the reform necessary? What are the expected outcomes?What are the expected outcomes? What are the potential problems with implementing the new curriculum?What are the potential problems with implementing the new curriculum? How can these problems be overcome?How can these problems be overcome? Does the new curriculum provide the means for continual assessment Does the new curriculum provide the means for continual assessment

and modification, if necessary? and modification, if necessary? What evidence do you have that the proposed changes will fulfill your What evidence do you have that the proposed changes will fulfill your

goals and objectives?goals and objectives? How much will it cost (materials, training, and implementation)? How much will it cost (materials, training, and implementation)? Who will be responsible for the funding?Who will be responsible for the funding? Are the expected outcomes worth the time and monetary investment? Are the expected outcomes worth the time and monetary investment? Is it manageable?Is it manageable? Is the timeframe realistic?Is the timeframe realistic?

Cultural QuestionsCultural Questions

What are the ideologies of the stakeholders?What are the ideologies of the stakeholders? Are there shared beliefs among those involved?Are there shared beliefs among those involved? Does your educational environment support Does your educational environment support

collaboration among all stakeholders? collaboration among all stakeholders? What level of commitment do the stakeholders have What level of commitment do the stakeholders have

toward the new curriculum?toward the new curriculum? How might social & political issues impact the How might social & political issues impact the

implementation and success of the new curriculum? implementation and success of the new curriculum?

Barriers&Deterrents

Leaders who manage, but do not lead

Fear of changes, and oftaking the first steps toward reform

Funding Issues

Little opportunity for planning or meeting

Lack of authorship/ tasks are viewed as directives

Levels of Curriculum Reform

Level of Curriculum Reform

Who Should be Involved?

Classroom Students / Parents / Teacher / Principal

Team / Core Students / Parents / Teachers / Principal

Grade Level Students / Parents / Teachers / Principal

School-Wide Students / Parents / Teachers / Principal(s) / Curriculum Coordinator(s)/ Superintendent / Local School Board

District-Wide Students / Parents / Teachers / Principals / Curriculum Coordinator(s) / Superintendent /Local School Board /District School Board

State-Wide Students / Parents / Teachers / Principals / Curriculum Coordinator(s) / Superintendent /Local School Board /District School Board / State Department of Education

Nation-Wide Students / Parents / Teachers / Principals / Curriculum Coordinator(s) / Superintendent /Local School Board /District School Board / State Department of Education / U.S. Department of Education/ Special Interest Groups / Institutions of Higher Education/ Content Area Experts/ etc…

Key Components of the Curriculum Key Components of the Curriculum Reform GuideReform Guide

Evaluate the Current CurriculumEvaluate the Current CurriculumSecure FundingSecure Funding ImplementImplementEvaluateEvaluateDisseminate ResultsDisseminate Results

Project Goals and Objectives Activities Timeline Personnel1. Evaluate the current

curriculuma. Identify the current

curriculum

b. Identify strengths andweaknesses of thecurrent curriculum

c. Identify potentialcurriculum alternatives

• Crea te am ap o f the current curriculum,includi : ng goal , s objective , s ke y concepts,vocabular , y assessment s and howtheya pplyt o local, sta te and nationa l standar .ds

• Gathe r evidenc e onthe students’outcome .s

• Conduc t intervie wswit h stakeholdersregardi ngthe ir percepti ons o f the currentcurricul .um

• Solic it feedba ckfrom th e communi .ty• Crea te acha rt tha tprioritize sarea s for

improvement, a nd identifie sevidenc e foreac h priorit .y

• Revie wliteratu re on alternativ e curriculumpossibilities.

• Crea te acha rtshow ingstrengt ,hsweaknesse , s a nd th ecost s for eac .h

• Determi nethe mos tappropriat ecurriculumalternati .ve

P -reReform

P -reReform

P -reReform

Teache rs&Administrators

Teache rs&Administrators

CurriculumCoordinator

Sample Curriculum Reform Guide

Problem Solving Competency 2003 - 2004 Problem Solving Competency 2003 - 2004

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

SeptemberOctober

NovemberDecemberJanuaryFebruary

March April

Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8

Percentage of students at grade level proficiency

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

1st Qtr2nd Qtr3rd Qtr4th Qtr

Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8

Number of hours students spent reading textbooks during science class 2003-2004

Project Goals and Objectives Activities Timeline Personnel

2. Secure Fundinga. Identify potential

funding sources

b. Write funding proposal

c. Secure funding

• Researc h potentia l loca, l stat , e a nd nationalfundi ng source svi apersona l contacts,phone conversations, email, andinterne .t

• Identif y fundi ng source s to purs .ue• Defi ne budget.• Defi ne ho w th e curriculu mwil l be

assess .ed• Wri teproposal( ) s bas ed ont hereques t for

proposal s (RF )P .• Conta ctprojec t offic er t o discus s your

application• Obta inappropriat eauthorization

(administrator , s schoo l boar ).d

• Submi t proposal.• Modif y proposal, i f necessa .ry

P -reReform

P -reReform

P -reReform

ProjectCoordinator &Team

ProjectCoordinator &Team

ProjectCoordinator

Sample Curriculum Reform Guide

Sample Funding ChartSample Funding Chart

Local BudgetDistrict Level SupportFederal Grant FundingPrivate Grant FundingDonationsState Funding

Project Goals and Objectives Activities Timeline Personnel3. Implement Curriculum

Reforma. Prepare to implement

new curriculum

b. Implement newcurriculum

c. Revise curriculum

• Obta in necessar y material .s• Conduc t training(s).• Present ne w curriculum tocommunit .y• Addres s any questi ons o r concer .ns

• Monitor studen tprogre .ss• Collec tstudent assessme nt dat .a• Conduc t intervie wswit h stakeholders,

regardi ngthe ir percepti ons o f the newcurricul .um

• Solic it feedba ckfrom th e communi .ty

• Modif y curricul um base d oninformationgathere 3 .d in b

• Implemen tnecessar y changes

Fall2004

Spring2005

ProjectCoordinator

Team

Sample Curriculum Reform Guide

Project Goals and Objectives Activities Timeline Personnel4. Evaluate the data

a. Analyze student participation

b. Analyze the intervention

c. Compare findings to otherrelevant studies

d. Develop recommendations forfuture research

• Analyz edail y attendanc erecor ,dsstude ntjournals, andteacherobservati onst o determin eparticipationi n th est .udy

• Comput edescripti vestatistic , s ba sed onassessment.

• Calcula teth eeffec tsi zeof theinterventi .on

• Determi nethe limitati ons o f thecurricul .um

• Compa re t heresult s o f thi sst udy toothe r simil arstudies.

• Deve lopfuture recommendati .ons

Summer2005

Summer2005

Summer2005

Summer2005

ProjectCoordinator

ProjectCoordinator

ProjectCoordinator

Team

5. Dissemina teResults.a Present informati onto

stakeholders• Deve lop a comprehensiv ewritte nrepor .t• Desi gn presentat ionfor stakeholder .s• Present assessme nt dat aa ndfuture

recommendations.

Summer2005

Team

Sample Curriculum Reform Guide

Problem Solving Competency 2005Problem Solving Competency 2005

0102030405060708090

SeptemberOctober

NovemberDecemberJanuaryFebruary

March April

Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8

New Inquiry-based Science Curriculum Implemented

Percentage of students at grade level proficiency

Curriculum Reform SummaryCurriculum Reform Summary

1.1. Justify a change in the existing curriculumJustify a change in the existing curriculum

2.2. Create a profile of your school Create a profile of your school

3.3. Design a curriculum reform guide Design a curriculum reform guide

Special thanks to Susan Zeineth-Collins for her help in developing this guide