EDUC150_The High School Curriculum
Page 1: Introduction
Course Information:
Course Code: EDUC 150
Semester: Fall 2024
Page 2: Defining Curriculum
What is Curriculum?
Curriculum encompasses the planned learning experiences and intended outcomes for students.
Page 3: Value Added Assessment & Curriculum Design
Value Added Assessment:
A method to evaluate teacher effectiveness based on student progress.
Complexity in High School vs. K-8:
High school evaluations are inherently more complex due to diverse student needs and varied curricular demands.
Challenges of Teacher Evaluation:
Factors such as classroom environment, student demographics, and curriculum design affect evaluation outcomes.
Page 4: Key Considerations
Processing Concepts During Lecture:
What constitutes a curriculum?
Differences in curriculum shaping between high school and K-8 education.
Characteristics of an effective and engaging curriculum:
Student-centered vs. teacher-centered approaches.
Consideration of school demographics in curriculum planning.
Page 5: Related Terms in Curriculum
Three Key Terms:
Standards:
Defining mastery levels for students.
Assessment:
Methods to evaluate if students meet defined standards.
Curriculum:
The framework that enables students to demonstrate acquisition of standards through assessments.
Page 6: Types of Curriculum
Three Distinct Types:
Hidden Curriculum:
Implicit lessons learned through social interactions.
Null Curriculum:
Content omitted from the formal curriculum.
Formal Curriculum:
Deliberate academic learning objectives and outcomes.
Page 7: Contemporary Understanding of Formal Curriculum
Characteristics of HS Curriculum:
Explicit connections to societal issues and overlapping themes.
Emphasis on purposeful design, organization, sequencing, and student interactions.
Focus on content knowledge that students are expected to acquire.
Page 8: Curriculum and Standards Relationship
Curriculum Framework:
Establishes essential knowledge and performance standards across grade levels.
Ensures alignment between curricular content and assessment tools.
Page 9: Understanding Assessments
Definition:
Tools, techniques, and criteria used to measure student knowledge acquisition.
Purpose of Assessments:
Evaluate student mastery of learning goals.
Guide future instructional emphasis.
Characteristics of Effective Assessments:
Alignment with learning goals.
Reliability and validity.
Varied formats to engage students with different learning styles.
Page 10: Hidden Curriculum
Definition and Examples:
Lessons learned informally through social interactions and school culture.
Examples include behavioral norms, informal status signals, and classroom socialization.
Page 11: Null Curriculum
Concept:
Curriculum gaps resulting from omitted content.
Represents unintentional lessons learned by not teaching certain topics.
Page 12: Resistance Theory and Learning
Understanding Resistance:
Disengagement from traditional curricula often stems from cultural misalignment.
Disadvantaged students may perceive school success as cultural alienation.
Page 13: Null Curriculum Example: Arizona
Context of HB2281:
Legislation impacting the teaching of ethnic studies.
Creates lessons through omission, endorsing a narrow view of acceptable content.
Page 14: Reflecting on Traditional Models
Inquiry into Traditional Curriculum Models:
The Brooklyn Free School advocates for abandoning rigid, factory-modeled curriculums.
Page 15: Curriculum Complexity Factors
Elements Influencing Curriculum Dynamics:
Teacher-student interactions, teaching philosophy, school culture, parental concerns, societal norms, and assessment standards.
Page 16: Key Takeaways
Main Concepts:
Definition of curriculum and its types (hidden, null, formal).
Understanding the components of effective curricula and their assessment methods.