Outcome 4 Alignment of Content, Instruction and Assessment

Foundational Curriculum Terms• Objectives:

– By the end of this activity, participants will be able to:• Recall and explain the definitions of

foundational curriculum terms• Organize foundational terms into a

framework of logical relationships

Definitions are established

• Consistent definitions across the state

• Definitions are aligned with other Department initiatives and programs

Directions

1. Review definitions and cards. p732. Create a framework, visual representation (i.e.,

how the terms work together/can be logically organized).

3. Copy your framework onto a sheet of chart paper.

4. Post your framework, be prepared to explain. 5. Compare your framework to another model

framework, discuss similarities and differences.

6. Change your framework if necessary, based on any new perspectives.

Alignment expert – Brad Neibling

DVD

6

Understanding Alignment

• What is Alignment?– To paraphrase…The extent to which and

how well all policy elements (e.g., content, instruction, and assessment) work together to guide instruction and, ultimately, student learning (Webb, 1997).

– In other words…content, instruction, and assessments need to provide clear messages about the important goals and outcomes of the educational system.

– Alignment information can be thought of as a characteristic of the relationship among content, instruction, and assessment

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Understanding Alignment DVD slides match

• The purpose of alignment work is to determine the extent to which content, instruction, and assessment are in agreement AND facilitate student learning.

• It’s not just an event…it’s a process!

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Why Alignment is Important

• Aligned content, instruction, and assessment provide clear messages about important goals and outcomes.

• Conversely, when policy elements contradict each other, increased stress and pressure may be placed on educators and students.

9

Why Alignment is Important

• Having alignment data provides

valuable information about system

functioning to be used for

improvement efforts.

• Poorly aligned instructional content

with assessments can “result in our

underestimating the effect of

instruction on learning” (Anderson,

2002).

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Why Alignment is Important

• What research tells us the impact of alignment on student outcomes– As alignment between what is taught and

assessments increases, so to do student outcomes (e.g., Gamoran et al., 1997; Cohen, 1987).

– This is true even for students with low achievement, low SES, and ethnically and culturally diverse groups.

– Important to consider both topical/ conceptual information, as well as cognitive complexity when measuring alignment.

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Alignment Logic and the Iowa Core Curriculum

• The Iowa Core Curriculum defines the Essential Concepts and Skill Sets students need to learn.

• The content of instruction should be guided by (aligned with) the Iowa Core Curriculum.

• Fair assessment practices means students are assessed on what they are supposed to learn (align assessments with the Iowa Core Curriculum).

• Fair assessment practices also means students are assessed on what they have will have or had an opportunity to learn (align assessments with instructional content).

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Rationale for Alignment

• In other words…– figure out what to teach (i.e., the Iowa Core

Curriculum),– teach it, and– assess it

• Because if we don’t…– we are being unfair, and– adults and children get confused and frustrated

• Instead, the goal of alignment with the Iowa Core Curriculum is to… – reduce confusion– improve opportunity to learn for students, and

ultimately – improve outcomes for each and every student

Outcome 5: Professional Development to improve Content, Instruction, and Assessment

Iowa Professional Development Profile

Aligns w/Outcome 5- Action 2

Need total score from profile to complete self- study

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