Michael Parent, Sandy DeLuca, Tom McKenna, Brian KellyCurriculum Final ExamPart II

Is there evidence that this school has a top-notch culture?1. Teachers believe that all students can achieve and learn and provide opportunities for

students to become involved.2. The building and facilities are safe, clean, and orderly.3. There is evidence that the structures are in place to cultivate a positive culture;

committee work, parents are involved in some decision processes, students are noticeably motivated.

4. Faculty members are given decision and policy-making opportunities.5. The staff is helpful, kind, and polite.6. Goals and missions are clearly posted.7. Curriculum is constantly visited and reviewed by teachers.8. Time is allotted for committee meetings during the school day.

In what areas might this school need to improve?1. While teachers have time to collaborate with each other during a set-time, the school

is separated by disciplines and doors are locked to classroom during instruction time. The school might want to foster a more open atmosphere for true collaboration by opening doors and allowing for transparency.

2. Students were moderately engaged, if not bored, in instruction. Teachers must engage the students in an interesting and collaborative matter.

3. Students were mostly seated in rows in classrooms. This hinders cooperative learning and does not foster the desired respect objective. Seat students in a more cooperative fashion.

4. Committees are not comprised of all stakeholders. Students are not represented. We believe the school should incorporate student perspectives into policy decisions.

5. Teacher centered instruction was the primary method of pedagogy. Block scheduling requires more task-oriented planning and activity. Teachers should investigate alternative teaching strategies.

6. There is no alignment of curriculum when it comes to projects. Curriculum mapping may benefit the school in providing students with more focus on various projects.

7. While the school indicates that small learning communities are in place, there is not evidence of these communities being in operation. The school must make these communities more viable and available.

8. Minority and special education student scores are well below the school average. A more heterogeneous approach to grouping may help raise these scores.

9. Teachers do not view their roles as guides or mentors, but rather as the sage on the stage. More teacher/student engagement is required and teachers must make more concerted effort to enable students to succeed and achieve

Describe the type of curriculum you might find in this school.The curriculum would probably not connect to each other. While there is a core belief in the school, there is no evidence that the disciplines are based or aligned with this philosophy. While curriculum is reviewed on timely basis, it is not properly reviewed.