CARP+Goal+(Horizontal)



**Curriculum Analysis and Review Process** **Narrow Focus: “__ Within __” Division Proposal**


 * Department**: History **Division**: Upper School


 * Prepared by**: Ben Zarwell **Date**: 9/28/2010


 * What:**
 * We want to get off to a strong start in anticipation of next year’s super-review. We intend to review our 9-12 scope and sequence, beginning by collating our existing syllabi and updating our curriculum maps (we have two new teachers as well as some new courses to consider). We also want to review our departmental philosophy statement.**


 * Why:**
 * Over the past three years we’ve (a) complied with Global Studies emphasis and adjusted our curriculum accordingly, (b) reviewed assessment practices, and (c) instituted grade level team meetings to assure “quality control” in our 9-11 sequence. This year, we’re looking forward to 2011-2012. Collating syllabi and maps will provide a centrally located master document for future reference in regards to both content as well as classroom activities and teaching methodologies, while re-articulating our philosophy statement is a collective process that should further integrate our latest departmental staff and permit us to reflect on who we are and what we need to be doing to best deliver the content and skills we value to our students.**


 * How:**
 * **October: Begin the process of collating syllabi and determining the format for curriculum mapping.**
 * **December: Discussion of our current departmental philosophy statement**
 * **January: Completion of collective articulation of departmental philosophy statement.**
 * **January – April: Rosie has approved one or two half-days/days for departmental in-service to work on mapping and syllabus.**
 * **May: Maps to be completed.**

** ﻿ Curriculum Analysis and Review Process** **End-of-Year Narrow Focus __Progress__ Reports** **Use for Within Division and Vertical Team Reports**
 * Department**: US History **Date**: 6/3/11


 * Department Head**: Zarwell

Over the past three years we’ve (a) complied with Global Studies emphasis and adjusted our curriculum accordingly, (b) reviewed assessment practices, and (c) instituted grade level team meetings to assure “quality control” in our 9-11 sequence. This year, we’re looking forward to 2011-2012. Collating syllabi and maps will provide a centrally located master document for future reference in regards to both content as well as classroom activities and teaching methodologies, while re-articulating our philosophy statement is a collective process that should further integrate our latest departmental staff and permit us to reflect on who we are and what we need to be doing to best deliver the content and skills we value to our students.
 * Restate topic:**

We've made much progress this year, and we're on track to complete both tasks by June 7th. At the end of the day we will have a revised philosophy statement, a complete collection of syllabi, and curriculum maps for all courses that we taught this year.
 * Summarize your findings:**

This year's goals have been task-oriented. We will have a set of artifacts to show for our efforts.
 * What actions have you taken or decisions have you made?**
 * 1) We reached consensus on departmental philosophy and drafted a statement that better reflects current practices.
 * 2) We reviewed our existing curriculum maps.
 * 3) We agreed on a common curriculum-mapping format and vocabulary.
 * 4) We will have a set of revised curriculum maps for all courses we taught in 2010-2011.

We will have two concrete artifacts available for future reference.
 * How will you assess the results?**
 * 1) We will revisit the philosophy statement each year in September during our first department meeting.
 * 2) The completed set of maps serves two purposes:
 * 3) The process of mapping forces teachers to consider their curricular choices and reflect on how they organize units, lessons, and assessments.
 * 4) Teams can better track scope and sequence from year-to-year. We will have a better understanding of skills development from 9th-12th grades.


 * What are your next steps?**


 * 1) The department will be in a strong position for our super-review next year, and the work of re-assessing our curriculum will be much easier going forward. I would also like to have a discussion with LS and MS on the usefulness of curriculum mapping software.
 * 2) The reworking of the freshman World Civilizations course will necessitate a major update to the map next year. The “Compass 9” team is restructuring the English and History curriculum to encourage greater integration.