DataDriven Decisions for Teaching Using the Curriculum Matrix

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Data-Driven Decisions for Teaching Using the
Curriculum Matrix
2008 Whole School Reform Symposium February 8-10,
2008

• Tom Venezio, Chief Academic OfficerSuccessful
  Practices Network

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An Overcrowded Curriculum

• TIMSS - Trends in Math and Science Study
• McREL Study - Mid-coast Regional Educational
  Laboratory
• 15,000 hours are needed to cover all of the
  standards in grades K-12
• 9,000 hours are available
• Quality Counts 2001 - Education Week
• 7 out of 10 teachers - Not enough time

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Deciding Curriculum Priorities

• Standards
• Community Expectations
• State Tests

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High Achieving Schools Use Data to Answer These
Questions

• What is on the test?
• What will students need to know and be able to do
  once they leave school?

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Curriculum Matrix

• Crosswalks
• State Standards and learning expectations
• English language Arts
• Math
• Science
• State test data
• Curriculum Survey of Essential Skills

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State Standards

• Subcategories help define the standard
• Key ideas, performance indicators, benchmarks,
  topics
• We use the term topic
• Determines the authors purpose and point of
  view and their effects on the text.

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Curriculum Survey of Essential Skills

• Created in 1998 by the International Center
• List of topics compiled were taken from exit
  standards as determined by NCTM, NSTA, NCTE and
  various state standards
• Participants asked to identify the 35 most
  important topics
• Over 21,000 participants

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National Essential Skills Study (NESS)

• Online Study similar to the 1998 Curriculum
  Survey of Essential Skills
• Topics
• English Language Arts
• Science
• Math
• Social Studies

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NESS

• Approximately 13,000 responses to date

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NESS

• All kits purchased now will be updated as the new
  data becomes available.

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Language Arts - Top 10 Topics
Apply in writing the rules of grammar,
punctuation and spelling. Gather, analyze and
summarize information from a variety of
sources. Give oral directions that are clear and
understood Follow oral directions. Identify and
select pertinent information while
reading. Follow written directions carefully and
accurately. Understand rules of grammar, usage,
punctuation, and spelling. Develop processes for
understanding and remembering Prepare and deliver
individual speeches. Know how to decipher
unfamiliar words.
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Science - Top 10 Topics
Understand how and why rotation and revolution of
Earth affect day, seasons and weather. Understand
the systems of the human body. Understand
nutrition. Know the metric system and
conversion. Make observation of the local
environment using senses and instruments. Understa
nd technology changes environment Know processes
in water cycle. Understand reproduction of living
things from cells to species. Understand cells
and functions. Understand the human impact on
environment and ways to improve.
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Mathematics - Top 10 Topics
Perform operations with numbers include,
decimals, ratios, percents and fractions Understan
d characteristics of parallel, perpendicular, and
intersecting lines Understand basic algebraic
properties Understand characteristics of
angles Understand best procedures for statistical
data collection, organization and display
Understand basic geometry ( point, line,
plane) Understand and use variables in
expressions Use correct order for performing
algebraic expressions Compute the distance
between two points Understand properties of
circles
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State Test Data

• State assessment are built from blueprints
  correlated to state standards
• Important standards are tested multiple times on
  an exam or, are weighted more heavily.

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Curriculum Matrix
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Using the Curriculum Matrix

• Determine priority standards
• Objective data on community expectations
• Simple reference as to what is tested
• Agenda for conversations with teachers