Curriculum Transformation

Moving towards the Reality

Where are we today?

Making the ShiftCovering curriculum

Subjects and courses

Learning outcomes

Measuring and assessing student work

Evaluation and grading

Engaging students through an inquiry approach, deep learning

Flexible approach Interdisciplinary and disciplinary

Learning standards, Big ideas, relevant and meaningful

Descriptive feedback, developing competencies

Learner profiles, communicating student learning

“The change and transformation is really not about curriculum. It is actually about how we engage students in learning and what we do in classrooms with our students”

Quote from a teacher through the review process

A Solid FoundationClear principles established to guide the

transformation and innovation efforts; discussion papers on innovation posted on website

Advisory Groups, Stakeholder Groups and Focus Groups provide guidance and direction

Consultation occurring widely and broadly throughout the province

Involving all in the process and creating a sense of transparency

A collaborative partnership with the BCTF

Developing ClarityCurriculum is competency driven,

concept based giving teachers more flexibility and ability to shape learning experiences

Big Ideas are an important aspect of the Learning Standards that support teachers in planning for interdisciplinary and cross cutting themes

Competencies ( Thinking, Communication, Personal/Social) defined and work continuing on developing profiles

Curriculum drafts developed in key areas of learning K-9

Renewed Curriculum K-9Language Arts (including English, French

Immersion, Français Langue Première)MathematicsSocial StudiesScienceArtsHealth and Physical EducationCore French (in progress) Applied Skills and Career (under

discussion)

CompetenciesDistricts and teacher groups

developing profiles of Creative Thinking, Critical Thinking, Communication, Personal Culture and Identity

Illustrative samples and examples gathered from classrooms to support teacher’s understanding of the development of the competencies

Website

• New curriculum and competencies work posted on an ongoing basis

• Provides additional resources and support

• Ongoing updates and information about the transformative work

• A vehicle to gather feedback from a wide audience

• Vision is for the website to be interactive to support flexibility

What are the Next Steps?

Feedback – What were the themes?Overwhelming support for the

general directionsAppreciation for the flexibility,

focus on big ideas and competencies

Supports interdisciplinary and personalized learning

Further in depth analysis of feedback occurring in each subject/discipline area

Feedback – views on the process “Love that there is no timeline for

implementation - and instead waiting to ensure that all voices have been heard.”

“Get the rest of the links up and

running!”

“Give us some ideas as to what the reporting piece will look like. Also, timelines... what are we thinking?”

Feedback on CurriculumSocial Studies

◦Need to further address Geographical thinking

◦Support for the explicit inclusion of Aboriginal worldview

Science◦Provide more support for the specificity

of the concepts ◦Too much content◦Environment needs more attention

English Language Arts• Need support for beginning stages of

literacy development

Feedback on CurriculumMath

◦Need to ensure Aboriginal worldview is evident

◦Ensure the covering of the basicsHealth and PE

◦Support for inclusion of overall health and healthy behaviours

Arts◦Integration options with other

disciplines is positive◦Need to consider having specialties

after grade 8

Questions Being Asked?Do we have the right balance between

flexibility and specificity?What support materials will be

provided to support the transformation efforts?

Are there illustrative examples, elaborations of concepts that can outline level of specificity?

How will we ensure the foundational skills in literacy and numeracy are addressed?

What lays Ahead?

Continued Work this FallCore French curriculum teacher team

established including a field facilitator (Claire Guy)

Development and refinement of Competency Profiles to continue in fall

Grade 10 – 12 prototype and development of draft curricula to begin this fall and beyond

Revisions to K-9 according to feedback and to align with the Grad Program requirements

Determine how to address Applied Skills and Career Education

Supporting Transformation EffortsGrad Program – continued

consultations, work with post secondary, G6 providing guidance, Jan Unwin working with Post Secondary and K-12 Ministry

Assessment Framework – identifying and clarity on Large Scale Assessment ( AGPA recommendations), Exam program, reporting and communicating student learning and classroom assessment

How do we as District Leaders

Support the Transformative

Efforts?

Develop and encourage different planning constructs for curriculum delivery and make examples available to teachers (Planning for big ideas through inquiries, themes, inter-disciplinary, etc)

Encourage and reinforce innovative classroom practices such as (problem based/project based, genius hour, maker spaces, community connections, service learning)

Focus on competency development for students in Thinking, Communication and Personal and Social Competence

Involve teachers in conversations on how to “activate” the competencies in their classrooms – For example, “What does it look like in a classroom when students are creatively, critically thinking?”

Encourage Principals and teachers to become familiar with the Competency profiles and examples on the Ministry website

Insist on effective Assessment for Learning practices

Challenge the practices associated with Assessment of Learning and achievement levels

Encourage different school structures and move away from structures and approaches that impede innovation

Change the “Ya Buts” into “Why nots”

Develop networks of innovative practices to inspire and motivate and create momentum throughout your district

Shift thinking from implementation date to transformational process

Encourage hubs of innovation and identify your teacher leaders

Websites and Documentshttps://

curriculum.gov.bc.ca/sites/curriculum.gov.bc.ca/files/pdf/curriculum_redesign_update.pdf