Needs Improvement

• Look up the test results for a school in your school district.
  • Choose a subject and grade that needs improvement.
    • For example, you could choose 5th grade math or 8th grade science.
    • You should be familiar with this subject and/or grade as you will be using this information for the discussion questions in the upcoming weeks.
  • Consider how to increase those test scores by improving the curriculum.
  • Map the curriculum to your appropriate state standards for that grade and subject. Post the link to the standards.
  • What kind of needs assessment will you need to do? List at least 3 questions or items that you would include on a needs assessment. Your goal must be data driven. What data will you need to create a plan to accomplish your goal and what data will you need to measure if you succeeded.
  • Helping Aid: Chapter 5 (Instructions are attached)

Assessment of Interdisciplinary Studies

• Chapter 6 discusses the value of interdisciplinary studies in terms of curriculum planning and improvement. Search for the latest research on interdisciplinary studies and see if you can find articles or research studies on how schools and/or school districts have tried to implement this concept.
  • Do you feel that interdisciplinary studies are practical in today’s schools, especially with the emphasis on state testing?
  • Given your answer from last week, do you think that your subject and grade would be a good candidate to include in a new, interdisciplinary unit? Why or why not?
  • Explain your reasoning to these two questions and post at least 1 article from the past 2 years that supports your answer.
  • Helping Aid: Chapter 96 & 7 Instructions attached)