Indicator 1.3 – Eastern Middle School - DEMO

Curriculum is student-centered.

A major priority when developing a curriculum is consideration of students' interests and needs. This indicator encourages staff to examine whether the curriculum offers intellectual substance for all students to improve critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Discussion Questions

In what ways does your curriculum focus on students’ interests and needs?
What part of the curriculum, if any, appears to address the interests of others—legislators’ concerns about standardized test scores, for example?
Consider whether your curriculum is challenging to all students—from the gifted and talented to those who are at risk for school failure.
Can you think of ways in which your curriculum provides opportunities for students to develop critical thinking and problemsolving skills?

Activity

Work in grade or subject teams to examine the issues above. Remember to have participants provide specific examples that support their positions. Note areas of agreement and disagreement. Seek consensus on major issues in order to identify areas that appear not to address students' needs and interests. Work toward plans to improve efforts to address all students' needs. (See KEY 6 for further ideas on evaluating your curriculum.)

Learn More

This indicator is related to the Making Continuous Improvement Second Nature section of the Next Steps resources.

Survey Questions for Indicator 1.3

Based on your own experience or impressions, please indicate how accurately each statement describes the situation in your school:

Q4C: The curriculum includes attention to the development of students' social skills and citizenship.
Q4D: The curriculum includes problem solving and critical thinking as valued components.
Q4E: Teachers use students' personal interests and goals to help develop the curriculum.