Michigan’s CurriculumMelissa Kaczmarek, Staff Development Specialist

Saginaw Valley State UniversityNovember 21, 2014

Let’s begin at the beginningWhat is Curriculum?

What is curriculum?• The content and purpose of an educational

program together with its organization.

• Consists of a structured series of intended learning standards, which are taught, learned, and assessed.

• Viewed as separate from instruction.

• The purpose and content of instruction belongs to curriculum; delivery belongs to instruction.

What curriculum is NOT:

• Textbooks

• Tests/assessments

• Purchased programs

• Computer programs

• Materials/supplies

Roots of curriculum• Curriculum is a course of study derived from the

Latin currere, meaning, “to run a course.”

• Curriculum is a LIVING DOCUMENT.

• From NCTM’s Principles & Standards for School Mathematics, the Curriculum Principle:• “A curriculum is more than a collection of activities;

it must be cohesive, focused on important expectations, and well articulated across the grades.”

Brief History of Standards

• 1950s – Sputnik, race in space, no federal involvement in education, traditional textbook

• 1960s – open schools & curriculum, tracking, federal involvement (ESEA 1965)

• 1970s – back to basics (three Rs), lecture & demos, state curriculum (goals & objectives), MEAP

• 1980s – A Nation at Risk, increased federal involvement (Goals 2000: Educate America Act –requires every state to develop standards )

Brief History of Standardscontinued

• 1990s – push for math and science, 1995 -Michigan Curriculum Framework developed (MCF), national standards for all curriculum, teaching & learning standards, assessment & professional development standards

• 2000s - No Child Left Behind Act (2001), June 2002- March 2003 Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCEs), high stakes testing

• 2010s – Common Core State Standards, Next Generation Science Standards

• next - ???

Changes in Structure

• 70s – Goals and Objectives

• 80s – Outcomes and Enablers/Objectives

• 90s – Standards and Benchmarks

• 00s – Standards and Expectations

• Future – What is next????

Michigan Curriculum Framework

• Resource for the design, implementation, and assessment of the four core content areas.

• Rigorous expectations for student performance

• Describe the knowledge and abilities needed to be successful in today’s society

• Represent a component for school improvement, focusing on student achievement

Goal of MCF• Improve student achievement

• Align instruction to standards

• Guide school improvement

• Provide descriptions of what students should know

• Establish high quality learning experiences

• Indicators of student expectations

Alignment• In Michigan, it begins with the Michigan

Curriculum Framework.

• “It is the act of matching or linking curriculum, instruction, strategies, assessment, and staff development to assure that what is taught and how it is taught is producing the desired academic outcomes for all students.”

• Definition used by the Michigan Department of Education

Curriculum

• Michigan Curriculum Framework

• Common Core State Standards

• Grade Level Content Expectations

• High School Content Expectations

Standards in Michigan• English Language Arts (reading and writing) –

Common Core State Standards, called “Michigan’s Standards.” Adopted June, 2010.

• Mathematics – Common Core State Standards, called “Michigan’s Standards.” Adopted June, 2010.

• Science – Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Up for vote December, 2014.

• Social Studies – up for vote January, 2015.

What are the Common Core State Standards?

�Aligned with college and work expectations�Focused and coherent�Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order skills

�Build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards

�Internationally benchmarked so that all students are prepared to succeed in our global economy and society

�Based on evidence and research�State led – coordinated by NGA Center and CCSSO

CCSS Development Process

� College and career readiness standards developed in summer 2009

� Based on the college and career readiness standards, K-12 learning progressions developed

� Multiple rounds of feedback from states, teachers, researchers, higher education, and the general public

� Final Common Core State Standards released on June 2, 2010 and adopted by MDE

Common Core State Standards:

• are Standards, NOT Curriculum.

• need to be supported by coherent, content-rich curriculum.

• do NOT define everything that should be taught or assessed at the classroom or district levels.

• completed for Mathematics and ELA, with literacy standards for ALL content areas.

• Science is Next Generation Science Standards should be voted on in December.

• Social Studies Standards should be voted on in January.

Intentional Design LimitationsWhat the Standards do NOT define:� how teachers should teach.� all that can or should be taught.� the nature of advanced work beyond the core.� the interventions needed for students well below

grade level.� the full range of support for English language learners

and students with special needs.� everything needed to be college and career ready.

Why is this important?

� Previously, every state had its own set of academic standards, meaning public education students in each state were learning to different levels.

� All students must be prepared to compete with not only their American peers in the next state, but with students from around the world.

Green States have adopted CCSS:

Curriculum Alignment –What this means:

• What is WRITTEN – TAUGHT – TESTED

• There is a direct connection/cycle:• Curriculum• Instruction• Assessment

Assessments: M-Step

Spring 2015 - M-Step• Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress

• Replacing the MEAP and MME

• Online with paper/pencil option

• Online dates include a 3 week window for taking the assessment.

• Grades 3 & 6: May 19-June 5

• Grades 4 & 7: April 28-May 15

• Grades 5 & 8: April 14-May 1

English Language Arts (reading & writing)

• Grades 3-8

• Smarter Balanced content - Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) for 1 hour, 30 minutes

• computer lab and headphones required

• Classroom Activity - all done in class 1-3 days before the PT for 30 minutes

• no need for computer lab

• Performance Task - 2 hours, includes extensive writing

• computer lab required

Mathematics• Grades 3-8

• Smarter Balanced content - Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) for 1 hour, 30 minutes Grades 3, 4, & 5. 2 hours for Grades 6, 7, & 8.

computers required

• Classroom Activity - all done in class 1-3 days before the PT for 30 minutes

no computer required

• Performance Task - 1 hour, could include writing

computers required

Field Tested Items

• Will be included in Mathematics and ELA assessments.

• Will not count for student overall score.

Science• Grades 4 (covering grades K-4) and 7 (covering

grades 5-7)

• Michigan-developed assessments

• on-line, fixed form

• multiple choice

• two parts, 50 minutes each

• computers needed

Social Studies• Grades 5 (covering grades K-5) and 8 (covering

grades 6-8)

• Michigan-developed assessments

• on-line, fixed form

• multiple choice

• two parts, 50 minutes each

• computers needed

High School M-Step - 11th Grade

• ACT Plus Writing - March 3 (College Entrance)

• WorkKeys - March 4 (Work Skills)

• M-Step (Michigan Portion) - online April 14-May 1

• ELA (reading and writing)

• Computer Adaptive 2 hours, Classroom Activity* 3o minutes, Performance Task* 2 hours

• Mathematics

• Computer Adaptive 2 hours, Classroom Activity* 3o minutes, Performance Task* 1 hour, 30 minutes

• Science - 5o minutes multiple choice covering grades 8-11

• Social Studies - 50 minutes multiple choice covering grades 9-11.

ALL subject areas count for “accountability!”

Alignment

Alignment = Achievement• Teachers must teach to the Standards.

• Teachers must teach to the level of the Standards.

• Teachers must ensure classroom assessments are aligned to the Standards.

• Teachers must ensure classroom assessments are at the level of the Standards.

Old vs. New Standard• 8th grade old standard (GLCE): “Respond to

individual and multiple texts by finding evidence, discussing, illustrating, and/or writing to reflect, make connections, take a position, and/or show understanding.”

• 8th grade new standard (CCSS): “Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.”

Old Assessment vs. New Assessment

Old Assessment of that Standard

• 8th grade Assessment item (MEAP) that assesses that Standard: “What is one lesson that Masefield learns from Asbury, the canary?

A. Canaries naturally sing better than horses do.

B. Singing is not particularly important or useful.

C. He was able to sing all the time and didn’t know it.

D. Asbury has been listening to his attempts at singing.

New Assessment of that Standard

• How does the author emphasize the point that the TAM program was a positive influence on the sisters’ lives? Use details from the text to support your answer.

• No multiple choice answers.

Board Member Role

• Vote on standards.

• Provide School Leader with support in implementing curriculum.

• Know and understand what students are being asked to do.

What kids will need

• support

• perseverance

• consistency

School and University Partnership Office services

What we do at SVSU/our website:www.svsu.edu/supo

Services provided by SUPO

• Pacing Guide creation for ELA, Math, Social Studies, Science, Technology, World Languages, Fine Arts

• Professional development opportunities• Reduced tuition on SVSU graduate courses for

PSA teachers• School Improvement Plan training and support

Contact Information• Melissa Kaczmarek

School/University Partnership Office

REC, EN 126

Saginaw Valley State University

University Center, MI 48710

989-964-2779

mak@svsu.edu