are any of these questions familiar? how do teachers know what to teach? how do we know when a...
TRANSCRIPT
Are any of these questions familiar?
How do teachers know what to teach?
How do we know when a student is ready to advance?
What is an effective way to place students?
How can I ensure that students are ready for the next level?
How could our program be more consistent?
How could classes be better aligned?
Minneapolis – Adult EducationCurriculum Alignment Project
2012 COABE National Conference - Norfolk, VA
Curriculum Coordinators: Janice Bisch, Heather Turngren and Amy Vickers
Curriculum Questions
How do teachers know what to teach? How do we know when a student is
ready to advance? What is an effective way to place
students? How can I ensure that students are ready
for the next level? How could our program be more
consistent? How are classes better aligned?
Today’s Objectives
Participants will gain knowledge of
a process to weave 21st century and transitions skills into all levels of ABE and ELL classrooms
the collaborative process developed and used to create learning targets and assessments
related curriculum resources
Background
MPS-AE didn’t meet state NRS goals a few years ago
MPS-AE applied curriculum alignment as one strategy for NRS goal improvement
Curriculum Coordinator positions were created
Curriculum Coordinators began the curriculum alignment plan
Goals of Curriculum Alignment Project
Minneapolis AE course guide
21st Century & Transition Skills are explicitly included in every class and at every level
Career pathway creation
Program-wide curriculum consistency
Curriculum is written once and actively used in the classroom
3-Year Curriculum Alignment Project
Year 1: 2010 – 2011 Focus on Aligning Program-wide Curriculum
Year 2: 2011 – 2012 Focus on Instructional Methods Revised: Focus on Implementation of Aligned Curriculum
Year 3: 2012 – 2013 Focus on Lesson Plans/Planning Revised: Focus on Instructional Methods
Focus on Aligning Program-wide Curriculum
Curriculum Alignment Project: Year 1
Year 1: Focus on Aligning Program-wide Curriculum
MPS-AE Workteams Contract staff have monthly obligated
meeting times Teams of teachers grouped by
curriculum area
Monthly meetings facilitated by chairs
Chairs & Curriculum Coordinators meet
Year 1: Focus on Aligning Program-wide Curriculum
Teams of teachers worked on 8 – 10 learning outcomes of what students should know and be able to do upon completing each class
Year 1: Focus on Aligning Program-wide Curriculum
Creating Learning Outcomes A learning outcome is the combination
of learning objectives with the teacher-specified assessment chosen to measure to what degree the learning objective is met.
Objective + Assessment = Learning Outcome
Year 1: Focus on Aligning Program-wide Curriculum
21st Century & Transition Skills Literacy Work Life Academic Technology Numeracy Critical Thinking
Year 1: Focus on Aligning Program-wide Curriculum
Year 1: Focus on Aligning Program-wide Curriculum
Mid year shift: Request by staff for assessment training Connected with District curriculum
resources to have more alignment with K-12 and AE
Created learning targets to be used by all staff (registration, teachers, counseling, administration, planning, etc.)
Year 1: Focus on Aligning Program-wide Curriculum
Learning Targets Learning outcomes were changed to “I
can…” statements which we call learning targets
Define what a student should know and be able to do to complete a class
Year 1: Focus on Aligning Program-wide Curriculum
Assessments Common assessments measure learning
targets Created by teachers when possible
(helps to avoid copyright issues) Varied formats (checklists, rubrics,
multiple-choice, essay, fill-out documents, online, projects, etc.)
Year 1: Focus on Aligning Program-wide Curriculum
Examples: Basic Skills Writing 3 ELL Core 3
Minneapolis Adult Education
abe.mpls.k12.mn.us
ELL Writing 3
ELL Writing - Assessments
ELL Writing 3 Assessment 1
Learning Target: I can write or type present perfect tense in sentences.
Writing Prompt:
Write 5 sentences about what you have done since you moved to the United States. Use a different verb in each sentence.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
ELL Core Level 3
ELL Core Level 3 - Assessments
ABE Math 1
ABE Math 1 - Assessments
Assessment 1 Beginning Whole Number Review Page 17
New Basic Skills with Math Whole Numbers
Jerry Howett
Cambridge Adult Education 1999
ISBN 0-835-95736-5
Learning Targets:
1. I can read and write whole numbers.
2. I can identify digits, whole numbers, place values, and the value of a digit in a certain place.
3. I can round and estimate whole numbers when solving real math problems.
Student completes review on notebook paper.
Focus on Implementation of Aligned Curriculum
Curriculum Alignment Project: Year 2
Year 2: Focus on Implementation of
Aligned Curriculum
Key points of implementation:
All current classes will have learning
targets with corresponding assessments
by the end of the school year
Learning targets and assessments are
actively used in each classroom
Year 2: Focus on Implementation of Aligned
CurriculumIn each classroom we …
Use learning targets and assessments
Communicate learning targets to
learners
Using assessments to provide feedback
to learners
Year 2: Focus on Implementation of Aligned
CurriculumAs a program we …
Have classes that are more focused
Continue to develop assessments
Evaluate learning targets and
assessments
Year 2: Focus on Implementation of Aligned
CurriculumUse
learning targets & assessme
nts in classroom
Reflect on Learning Targets & assessme
nts in Workteam
s
Recommend
Learning Target &
Assessment
changes
Changes are posted on website quarterly
Process forImproving Learning Targetsand Assessments
Focus on Instructional Methods
Curriculum Alignment Project: Year 3
Year 3: Focus on Instructional Methods
Staff members will complete an E-training module about learning targets and assessments
Staff members will develop career pathways Staff members will improve various aspects
placement, advancement, feedback, and advising model
Teachers will meet in small groups (PLCs) to share classroom assessment data and discuss ways to improve instruction
Instructional Feedback Loop
Use assessments in
classroom
Analyze assessment data in PLCs
Recommend
instructional
changes
Implement
instructional
changes
Revisiting Goals of Curriculum Alignment Project
Minneapolis AE course guide
21st Century & Transition Skills are explicitly included in every class and at every level
Career pathway creation
Program-wide curriculum consistency
Curriculum is written once and actively used in the classroom
Lessons Learned
Trust
Implementation
Recognize that it takes time and practice
Communication
Integrating national and state trends
Explicit opportunities for feedback are
crucial
Minneapolis ABE - abe.mpls.k12.mn.us/
Janice Bisch – [email protected]
Heather Turngren – [email protected]
Amy Vickers – [email protected]
Questions and/or Comments?