Navigating Instruction: Mapping for Success

School districts and families alike have embarked on a new educational journey and continue to navigate constant waves of change and adjustments. How do we ensure that high quality instruction with no gaps in learning occurs as teachers and students transition between face-to-face and virtual environments during these challenging times? As we sail into a future of learning with varied scenarios, the need for curriculum mapping has become more imperative in order to support student achievement and success.

Curriculum serves as the “rudder” in the educational process, providing the content for learning experiences. In many districts, both public and private, the curriculum is set by the state or founders and evolves based upon political and economic needs of the time. This is evident in the recent emphasis for career and technical education and computer science. Curriculum provides the foundation for what is taught and guides the student experience.

In this first article in the curriculum mapping series, we will discuss why curriculum mapping is important. Subsequent articles will dive into how to set up an effective district system for mapping, how to review current curriculum maps to adapt and adjust for student success, and how to engage teachers, parents, and students in this critical process.

So, why is curriculum mapping so important? Research tells us that high performing districts and schools have a “guaranteed and viable curriculum,” a term coined by Robert Marzano. Curriculum is the foundation of the school’s instructional program (Tucker, 2019; Dunsworth, 2009, Schmoker, 2006) and the “number one school factor with the most impact on student achievement” (Marzano, 2003. p. 15). The responsibility of developing high quality curriculum that is aligned to standards and assessment is evident in high performance districts. “Curriculum alignment is an opportunity-to-learn issue, one that carries with it a moral imperative,” (Lezotte, 2011. p.80).

There are three main benefits involved in charting a curriculum map. The process in the journey involves:

1. Promoting a standard of excellence in student learning

High performing districts align the district curriculum to standards across grade levels to ensure student access towards content mastery. The integration of curriculum with instruction and assessment forms the triangle for success. Best practices are captured and shared using online resources, textbooks, and teacher content. The district determines expectations and level of mastery required for students and is transparent in communicating those learning targets. Effort is also made to balance the content in each grade level to minimize gaps and redundancies.

2. Empowering teachers to connect in planning impactful lessons

Involving teachers in the curriculum mapping process leads to high performance. An organized framework assists in planning engaging lessons from a centralized, common resource warehouse. The opportunity for interdisciplinary planning enhances learning and makes real life connections for students. “Mapping does not purport to create an idealistic vision where all teachers agree, love one another, and gather around a campfire and sing 'Curriculum Kumbaya.' What it can develop is a sense of place, of respect, and of new grounds for discussion, disputes, and direction,” shares Heidi Hayes Jacobs. Using a collaborative approach to sharing best practices and resources saves time as teachers connect.

Additional power is leveraged with establishing a system for feedback and scheduled review cycles where data is analyzed, stakeholders are included, and adaptions and adjustments are made based upon new resources, updates, and needs for the curriculum.

3. Supporting personalization for students in a transparent environment

Curriculum mapping ensures graduates have opportunities to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities. The process allows for student and classroom instruction based upon local values and expectations and provides the opportunity for students to receive that curriculum in a personalized manner tailored to their needs and pace. In addition, these maps increase transparency across grade levels for all stakeholders in communicating the desired learning and expectations.

Developing the curriculum map is an impactful process to establish the course for student success during both calm and turbulent waves of change in education. Maps guide the direction of the learning journey in navigating the waters of assessment, accountability, and transformation.

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Original Publish Date September 29, 2020 | Updated April 22, 2022

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References:

• Dunsworth, M & Billings, D. (2009). The high-performing school: Benchmarking the 10 indicators of effectiveness. Solution Tree Press, Bloomington, IN.
• Jacobs, Heidi Hayes (2004). Getting results with curriculum mapping. ASCD, Alexandria, VA.
• Lezotte, Larry (2011). What effective schools do: Re-envisioning the correlates. Solution Tree Press, Bloomington, IN.
• Marzano, R. (2003). What works in schools: Translating research into action. ASCD, Alexandria, VA.
• Schmoker, Mike. (2006). Results now: How we can achieve unprecedented improvements in teaching and learning. ASCD, Alexandria, VA.
• Tucker, Marc (2019). Leading high-performing school systems. ASCD, Alexandria, VA.