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

Implementing Science Curriculum Reform Matthew T. Marino Professional Development Center Coordinator University of Connecticut

Curriculum Reform Overview Step 1 - Justify a change in the existing curriculum Step 2 - Create a profile of your school Step 3 - Design a curriculum reform guide

Justify a change in the existing curriculum National, state, or district rankings National, state, or district rankings Test scores (local, district, state, national) Test scores (local, district, state, national) Portfolio reviews Portfolio reviews Writing assessments / samples Writing assessments / samples Quantitative measures from similar programs Quantitative measures from similar programs National, state, or district reform initiatives National, state, or district reform initiatives Interviews with stakeholders Interviews with stakeholders Comparisons with other programs using artifacts and observations Comparisons with other programs using artifacts and observations Current “best practices” research Current “best practices” research Quantitative MeasuresQualitative Measures

Step 1 - Do we need to reform?

Step 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 statements? How can the new curriculum complement the school’s vision and mission statements? How does the proposed change relate to local, state, and federal reform initiatives? How does the proposed change relate to local, state, and federal reform initiatives? Questions to Consider:

Administrative 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 and modification, if necessary? Does the new curriculum provide the means for continual assessment and modification, if necessary? What evidence do you have that the proposed changes will fulfill your goals and objectives? What evidence do you have that the proposed changes will fulfill your 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 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 collaboration among all stakeholders? Does your educational environment support collaboration among all stakeholders? What level of commitment do the stakeholders have toward the new curriculum? What level of commitment do the stakeholders have toward the new curriculum? How might social & political issues impact the implementation and success of the new curriculum? How might social & political issues impact the implementation and success of the new curriculum?

Barriers&Deterrents Leaders who manage, but do not lead Fear of changes, and of taking 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 Reform Guide Evaluate the Current Curriculum Evaluate the Current Curriculum Secure Funding Secure Funding Implement Implement Evaluate Evaluate Disseminate Results Disseminate Results

Sample Curriculum Reform Guide

Problem Solving Competency Percentage of students at grade level proficiency

Number of hours students spent reading textbooks during science class

Sample Curriculum Reform Guide

Sample Funding Chart

Sample Curriculum Reform Guide

Problem Solving Competency 2005 New Inquiry-based Science Curriculum Implemented Percentage of students at grade level proficiency

Curriculum Reform Summary 1. Justify a change in the existing curriculum 2. Create a profile of your school 3. Design a curriculum reform guide Special thanks to Susan Zeineth-Collins for her help in developing this guide