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W E L C O M E
Curriculum (what we teach), instruction (how we teach) and assessment (how we know students are learning) are at the heart of the Wanaque Public Schools.
The purpose of the Wanaque School District’s curriculum is to provide our students with an outstanding instructional program that results in high student achievement. Curriculum development in the district is guided by the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS), the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and research-based educational practices.
In our school district, all curriculum areas are reviewed and revised at least every five years. Committees of teachers and administrators research the best educational practices, review current curriculum and materials, align curriculum objectives, develop revisions, pilot, and develop plans for program implementation and evaluation. An extensive professional development program provides staff with the necessary training and support to implement an outstanding educational program.
C U R R I C U L U M R E V I E W C Y C L E
Year 1: Evaluation, Assessment & Research
K-8 departments in stage one will focus on the research of best practice, conduct site visits, review and interpret all available K-8 student achievement and growth data and develop an action plan.
- Identify a committee (composed of teachers, administrators, parents, students and/or other experts in the field)
- Develop and implement an action plan that includes department mission, vision and goals that the K-8 team will accomplish over the course of the curriculum cycle
- Collect, analyze and interpret K-8 student achievement and growth data in the particular content area
- Develop a synopsis of current best practices and evidence of new learning through site visits
Documents: Action Planning Template & Presentation to School Board
Year 2: Curriculum Development & Resource Pilot
K-8 departments in stage two will focus on the completion of standards aligned curriculum maps and evaluate resources that align to the expected learning outcomes from the curriculum maps.
- Completion of standards aligned curriculum maps in the designated district approved format
- Completion of grade level/ course level scope and sequence
- Review resources and materials for purposes of program pilot
- Conduct pilot program and make data based recommendations to curriculum committee
- Participate in professional development
Documents: Completed Resource Evaluation Rubric, Completed Unit Maps, Grade Level/ Course Scope & Sequence, and Initial Data Collection template
Year 3: Implementation & Professional Development
K-8 departments in stage three will focus on deploying the revised curriculum maps and begin to align instruction, assessments and resources to the revised curriculum. K-8 departments will also engage in professional development to support their work.
- Create and begin to deploy professional development plan to align with revised curriculum maps, resource adoption and district professional development calendar
- Develop common assessments and rubrics
- Conduct assessment audit to ensure that assessments enable higher level thinking skills for all students
- Continuously examine and analyze student performance data
Documents: Professional Development Plan, Common Assessments, Assessment Audit
Year 4: Revisions & Review
K-8 departments in stage four will focus on continuous improvement through the analysis of student performance data and alignment to standards, sharing of best practices and engaging in learning walks.
- Conduct learning walks to observe and get feedback on classroom instructional practices.
- Continuously examine and analyze student performance data
- Continuously making improvements to curriculum maps, scope and sequence documents and assessments
- Engaging in professional development
Documents: Data collected from learning walks, student performance data, and professional development plan
Year 5: Monitoring
K-8 departments in stage five will evaluate the effectiveness of the curriculum review process over the past stages. Staff members will be responsible for examining and reporting on student outcomes and making recommendations for further improvement.
- Review student assessment data and post-secondary outcomes to determine the effectiveness of program implementation and standards aligned instruction
- Develop and conduct surveys to gain information about the current program.
Documents: Curriculum Review Survey & Board Presentation
The essential intent of the Office of Curriculum & Instruction is to promote and ensure clarity, equity, purpose, and coherence in district curricular and instructional programming.
