|
KEY 5 - INDICATOR 5
Academic resources are adequate.
This indicator examines whether or not the workbook, textbook and other
curricular materials used in your school are appropriate for the goals
of instruction.
Curriculum is a powerful determinant of student achievement. In some
cases, the cost of upgrading the curriculum seems minor, but deep change
is often costly. When making a decision about programs, school staff
must understand the entire situation and how the curricular resources
relate to needs.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Examine the supply of textbook, workbook and other curricular materials
to determine if they satisfy demands at the school.
- What other materials does the school staff use to enrich the instructional
program?
- What has been the school’s experience with the curricular materials
in terms of alignment with the school’s goals and with district and
state standards?
- Determine whether the goals and learning standards are aligned.
If not, what are the problem areas and what resources are needed?
What evidence is there that the resources are appropriate and provide
for the best use of funds?
ACTIVITY
- Have team members assess the level and cohesiveness of your goals
(Key 1) and develop
teaching and learning materials required for accomplishing a goal.
Team members can pilot test the materials in their own classrooms,
revising the materials on the basis of test results (Key
6). If the materials prove to be worthwhile, team members study
their wider use and create a resource center within the school.
The resource center can provide a place where staff can come together
to read journals, view education tools, peruse books and catalogs,
or simply engage in informal, professional conversations (Key
2). Team members can then begin to study how the available professional
development (Key 4)
allows for the successful implementation of the materials.
SUMMARIZING ACTIVITY
- Read two publications, "Linking Education Finance to Education
Reform"and "Linking Education Finance and Performance,"found in
your NEA Quality Schools Tool Box. As a group:
- Consider the procedures you use to select resources.
- Share ideas on what can be done in the selection process
to create a climate for learning.
- Identify some action steps for sustaining a quality learning
environment.
|
