240 Curriculum

After years of service in a middle school science laboratory setting, the science textbooks at St. Domingo Middle School have been labeled by staff as needing replacement. Middle school science curriculum is next on the San Pedro School District curriculum adoption schedule. District leaders, building administration, community members, and science teachers will form a Curriculum Review Committee (CRC) and establish a task-embedded timeline to select a new curriculum and all associated materials.

Which list below organizes the tasks below in the correct chronological order?

1. 1. CRC members offer input on the effectiveness, value, and viability of the proposed curriculum choices.

2. 2. CRC members establish a ranked list of curriculum options and vote to finalize the purchase of materials.

3. 3. At a CRC meeting, district administrators present the proposed budget, process, and all documents to be used during the curriculum adoption process.

4. 4. The CRC presents to the board of directors at a school board meeting for signatures.

5. 5. Each school has a community curricular event that highlights the newly purchased curriculum and how it will be utilized in classrooms.

• 3, 1, 2, 4, 5

• 2, 4, 3, 1, 5

• 1, 2, 3, 5, 4

• 4, 2, 1, 3, 5

At Westridge High School, a group of parents express concerns to the school leader about their children not feeling adequately challenged academically. They believe the reason is the slower pace of instruction necessary to accommodate ELL (English Language Learner) students in mixed-ability classrooms. The parents fear this might hinder their children's academic growth.

What is the most effective approach for the school leader to evaluate whether the academic program is sufficiently challenging for all students, including those who are not ELL?

• conducting a comprehensive review of the curriculum and instructional strategies in collaboration with teachers, including analyzing student performance data and feedback from a diverse range of students and parents

• observing classrooms randomly to assess the level of student engagement and challenge during lessons

• relying only on feedback from the parents who initially raised the concern

• implementing standardized tests across all grades and using the results as the indicator of the academic program's rigor and effectiveness

Answer explanation

A. This approach ensures a holistic and inclusive assessment of the academic program. By analyzing diverse data sources and incorporating feedback from various stakeholders, the school leader can better understand the program's effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

D. While standardized tests provide valuable data, they should not be the sole measure of a program's rigor.

When evaluating a teacher during a young adult novel discussion, the principal notices the teacher missed several opportunities to support students' diverse backgrounds through characters and setting development. The teacher also did not address questions that could have allowed students to share their individual experiences and culture. Based on the principal's observation, which of the six Educator Accomplished Practices is the principal least likely to identify as an area that requires additional of focus?

• continuous professional improvement

• instructional design and lesson planning

• professional responsibility and ethical conduct

• instructional delivery and facilitation

Answer explanation

C. (O) Based on the teacher's selection of a text that represents diverse backgrounds, there is no evidence that the teacher is intentionally failing to respect student differences. The scenario does not contain evidence of irresponsible or unethical conduct.

D. (X) The instructional delivery and facilitation standard focuses on knowledge of the subject taught and instructional strategies. It does not appear that the teacher used an effective instructional approach that emphasized "respecting students' cultural linguistic and family background"; therefore, the principal may also want to focus on delivery and facilitation.

The science department would like to implement a lab-based instructional model that is STEM-focused. The teachers are excited because they believe it will create high student interest due to active learning and the technology feature. What would be most appropriate for the principal to request from this team at this early stage of discussion?

• provide research-based practices

• provide textbook company bids

• include student-interest survey

• share the technology and manipulatives

Answer explanation

A. (O) Data should be the driving force in the selection of a teaching practice or program. A determination should be based on research detailing the impact of the program on student achievement before making a change that impacts curriculum and instruction.

D. (X) Technology and resources have an important role in instructional support and training, but it typically comes later in the decision-making process.

A middle school principal is worried that the curriculum does not represent the school's diverse student demographic. He understands that students are more invested in learning when they make connections to the curriculum. What is the best action the principal can encourage teachers to do to recognize cultural diversity in their lessons?

• restrict students from sharing information about their culture with their classmates

• create a new curriculum that includes diversity in the standards and materials

• devote 5-10 minutes per lesson to celebrating the accomplishments of minority figures

• include teaching materials that reflect the diversity of the classroom; e.g., literary texts by diverse authors

Answer explanation

D. (O) Cultural diversity can be incorporated by finding materials, activities, and historical and cultural figures that reflect the students in the classroom. When students see themselves in the curriculum, they are more engaged and invested in learning.

Ms. Bradley, the school leader at Fairhaven High School, is faced with a scheduling conflict when mandatory state testing is set on a significant religious holiday for a portion of the student population. This has caused concern among these students and their families, who feel their religious practices are not being respected. The testing is one week away, which is too close to change the dates for the entire school.

Ms. Bradley was made aware of the situation through the following parent email:

Dear Ms. Bradley,

I am extremely frustrated and disappointed with Fairhaven High School's decision to schedule mandatory state testing on a day that directly conflicts with a significant religious holiday, which is observed by many in our community. This insensitivity to our religious practices puts our children in an unfair and distressing situation, forcing them to choose between their faith and their academic obligations. I urge you to take immediate action to rectify this oversight and provide an alternative testing arrangement that respects our religious commitments.

Sincerely,

Mr. Parker

How can Ms. Bradley effectively communicate the solution to the school community?

• only communicate the solution to those who were directly affected by the conflict, avoiding a broader discussion about diversity

• craft a message that not only addresses the resolution but also celebrates the school's diverse community

• send a generic email about the solution without mentioning the reason behind it to avoid highlighting any specific cultural or religious group

• issue a statement that strictly focuses on logistical aspects of the solution, refraining from mentioning diversity or cultural sensitivity

Answer explanation

B. (O) Crafting a message that addresses the resolution while celebrating the school's diversity fosters an inclusive and respectful environment. It demonstrates the school's commitment to recognizing and valuing the cultural and religious diversity of its community, which can enhance mutual understanding and respect among students, staff, and families.

D. (X) Issuing a statement that focuses only on the logistical details without addressing diversity or cultural sensitivity might solve the scheduling problem efficiently. However, it does not take advantage of the opportunity to educate and bring awareness about cultural diversity and sensitivity, which are important values in a multicultural educational environment.

At a grade level data collaboration meeting, a new teacher notices that her scores appear lower on classroom unit tests and state tests compared to others in the department. Based on the Florida Accomplished Practice Evaluation Standards, what instructional training should the school leader suggest that will best support this novice teacher?

• developing additional exit tickets and formative assessment tools

• analyzing and applying data from multiple assessments to inform instruction

• creating test-taking tips and support materials for struggling students

• accessing department common lesson plans and instructional materials

Answer explanation

B. (O) Assessment data is a powerful tool that may be used to determine student mastery of learning objectives and students in need of remediation. Data from multiple sources provides insight into progress toward learning sta

The middle school curriculum team is meeting to discuss each grade level's Language Arts teaching concepts for the upcoming school year. Several new teachers have been added to their department. What's the best way to ensure that Language Arts teachers are following the same guidelines across the district and are prepared for the start of the year?

• creating lesson plans as a team for the first few units at the start of the year

• exploring new resources available through the textbook selection process

• providing a sequenced curriculum with a guide for instruction and measurement

• developing a calendar for teaching units so that materials and resources can be shared within grade levels

Answer explanation

C. (O) Learning standards provide insight into what students are expected to know and be able to do. A strong sequenced curriculum builds from previous learning to more challenging learning by including targeted learning mea

As part of the "Holidays Around the World" celebration, second-grade teachers have their students participate in activities that highlight different cultural celebrations. These include sharing photos, bringing cultural items, and discussing literature from various cultures. Considering the diversity of the student body, what advice should a school leader offer to the teachers to ensure that these activities are inclusive and effectively address the needs of all students?

• encourage the teachers to assign activities to students based on their cultural background to showcase authenticity

• encourage the teachers to seek representation from a wide range of cultures and encourage every student to participate in and learn from each activity

• mandate that the students only participate in activities related to their own culture, ensuring comfort and familiarity

• instruct the teachers to focus on the most widely celebrated holidays to ensure the majority of students feel included

Answer explanation

B. (O) Inclusivity in a diverse classroom setting is achieved when all cultures are represented and valued. Encouraging every student to participate in and learn from each activity fosters a sense of belonging and respect for all cultural backgrounds, meeting the diverse needs of the student body.

Mrs. Swanson has consistently written learning objectives for her class from the cognitive domain, but is working to be more deliberate with her use of objectives from the affective and psychomotor domains. Which of the following is an example of an objective from the affective domain?

• Students will remember to ask for help when frustrated, instead of giving up.

• Students will correctly tie their own shoes.

• Student will identify two rhyming words.

• Student will create a fictional story based on a conflict they have experienced in their lives.

Answer explanation

A. (O) Learning how to appropriately deal with frustration and/or failure would be a component of the affective domain.