Time to change. The curriculum is really a breathing and ever-changing document. The curriculum should reflect the current trends and needs of high school students, employers and colleges. All have tremendous effect on the required subjects that high school students must take and the knowledge students must have for them to be effective on the job and in college. Therefore, high school teachers and counselors must be diligent in their pursuit of updating, revising and adding additional curriculum.
Steps to Curriculm Changes
Submit proposed high school curriculum changes, addition and revisions to the curriculum coordinator for consideration. This submission must include the actual recommendations for new courses, textbooks or programs. All information must be readily documented for the curriculum coordinator to review.
Explain in detail the rationale for the curriculum change. Determine how the changes will affect the academic performance of high school students. Provide the research findings, statistics and documented statements from educators who have used the curriculum. Compare and contrast the current curriculum with the advantages of the proposed new curriculum.
Perform an assessment on the new curriculum. Determine what assessment tools will be put into place to monitor the achievement of academic success. State in detail how the data will be collected and presented. Provide forecast results that students should receive from the new curriculum.
Provide an assessment of the monetary costs associated with fully funding the new curriculum. Determine the costs of textbooks, supporting materials, teacher training and additional staffing.
Establish a time-line for implementation and include evaluation benchmarks to monitor the full implementation of the new high school curriculum. Provide the curriculum coordinator with a start and finish date.
Report final results. Ensure that data is accurate and reflects the actual performance of students as a result of the implementation of the new high school curriculum. Provide a plan to continue the program if it is successful. If the program is not successful, be prepared to provide an explanation of why and how to address the shortcomings of the curriculum changes.