EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Series 600
Policy Title: Curriculum Evaluation Code No. 602.3
Regular evaluation of the total curriculum is necessary to ensure that the written and delivered curriculum is having the desired effect for students.
Curriculum evaluation refers to an ongoing process of collecting, analyzing, synthesizing, conducting fidelity checks, and interpreting information to aid in understanding what students know and can do. It refers to the full range of information gathered in the school District to evaluate (make judgments about) student learning and program effectiveness in each content area.
Curriculum evaluation must be based on information gathered from a comprehensive assessment system that is designed for accountability and committed to the concept that all students will achieve at high levels, is standards-based, and informs decisions which impact significant and sustainable improvements in teaching and student learning.
The Superintendent is responsible for curriculum evaluation and for determining the most effective way of ensuring that assessment activities are integrated into instructional practices as part of school improvement with a particular focus on improving teaching and learning. A curriculum framework will describe the procedures that will be followed to establish an evaluation process that can efficiently and effectively evaluate the total curriculum. This framework will, at a minimum, describe the procedures for the following curriculum evaluation activities:
- Identify specific purposes for assessing student learning;
- Develop a comprehensive assessment plan;
- Select/develop assessment tools and scoring procedures that are valid and reliable;
- Identify procedures for establishing at least three levels of performance (rubrics for priority standards) (specific to the content standard and the assessment tool when appropriate) to assist in determining whether students have achieved at a satisfactory level (at least two levels describe performance that is proficient or advanced and at least one level describes students who are not yet performing at the proficient level);
- Identify procedures for using assessment information to determine long-range and annual improvement goals;
- Identify procedures for using assessment information in making decisions focused on improving teaching and learning (data based decision making);
- Verify that assessment tools are fair for all students and are consistent with all state and federal mandates.
It is the responsibility of the Superintendent to keep the Board apprised of curriculum evaluation activities, the progress of each content area related to curriculum evaluation activities, and to develop administrative regulations for curriculum evaluation including recommendations to the Board.
Approved: February 24, 2004
Reviewed: December 10, 2019
Revised: December 10, 2019
Legal References: 20 U.S.C. § 1232h; 34 C.F.R. pt. 98; Iowa Code §§ 216.9, 256.7, 279.8, 280.3; 281 I.A.C. 12.8.
Cross Reference: 101 Educational Philosophy of the School District; 103 Long-Range Needs Assessment; 505 Student Scholastic Achievement; 602 Curriculum Development; 603 Instructional Curriculum