Plan

Abstract

School-wide curriculum changes are necessary, even in private Christian schools. The following curriculum change plan outlines the procedures for changing the current science curriculum in a fictitious Christian school name Lighthouse Christian Academy. Included is a step-by-step plan involving the duties of the curriculum director, the school administration, parents, teachers, and staff. All stockholders of Lighthouse Christian Academy meet yearly to discuss any needed changes to the school’s curriculum. This curriculum change plan reflects the procedures mapped out for the upcoming meeting in January of 2018. The plan begins with a school-wide letter reminding stockholders of the date and time as well as the subject that is up for change. Stockholders are asked to fast and pray in preparation for the meeting. At the meeting, the curriculum director will present at least three different possible science curriculums that are Biblically based and within the school’s budget. The new curriculum will be voted in and training for teachers will take place over the summer to meet the implementation goal for the 2018/2019 school year. Biblical support for these steps is included.

Keywords: curriculum change, Biblical curriculum, Christian curriculum

Curriculum Change Plan

Change happens, whether one likes it or not. Lao Tzu is credited with saying, “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like” (Marati, 2012, p. 1). The only thing one can count on in life to never change is God’s Word and Christ himself. The Bible says in Hebrews 13:8 that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (New International Version). In March of 2016, the state of Georgia approved new standards for public schools in the subject of science (Georgia Department of Education, 2017). Although Lighthouse Christian Academy does not use the same curriculum as the public schools, the administration, teachers, staff, and parents meet with the curriculum director every year to evaluate curriculum and discuss any needed changes. The next scheduled meeting is set for January 20, 2018.

Plan Implementation

According to Parkay, Anctil, and Hass (2014), a curriculum director is one of the three individuals best suited to evaluate curriculum and decide when it is best to make changes. To prepare for the January meeting, the curriculum director will send letters to every parent, teacher, staff member, and administrator. At the meeting, the curriculum director will present no less than three possible curriculum choices for the subject of science. The curriculum director will list the pros and cons of each curriculum and will give all stockholders one week to submit their vote by secret ballot. The cost of the curriculum, the time it will take to train teachers and staff, as well as accurate Biblical content, will be discussed. In addition, example lessons from each curriculum will be printed out and available for stockholders to take home. Once all ballots are in and counted, the curriculum director will send out another letter to all stockholders announcing which curriculum has been elected. That letter should include the training dates for teachers and staff. As a rule, Lighthouse Christian Academy uses eight to 10 weeks out of the summer to prepare teachers and staff on new curriculum.

Plan for Encouragement

The curriculum director will send letters to all stockholders one month before the scheduled meeting of January 20, 2018. This letter will open with Ecclesiastes 3:1, which says, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (English Standard Version). The body of the letter will include the following: the date and time of the meeting, the school subject that is pending change, and a request for all stockholders to fast and pray leading up to the meeting. Fasting and praying is requested of stockholders so they will seek guidance and wisdom from the Lord and will be capable of voting on the curriculum best suited for the students. The Bible demonstrates that fasting and praying is a way to seek guidance. Acts 14: 23 states that “Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust” (New Living Translation).

Additionally, in the letter, the curriculum director will explain the recent changes to the public schools’ science curriculum, and will state that their current science curriculum has not been updated since the school began in 2010. The curriculum director will state that the goal is to have a new school-wide science curriculum implemented by the beginning of the 2018/2019 school year. Lastly, the curriculum director will remind the stockholders that Lighthouse Christian Academy does not intend to fully imitate the public-school standards, but does take the recommendations of the Georgia Department of Education into consideration. The Georgia Department of Education (2017) states it is important to make curriculum changes in order to remain up-to-date with the continuous changes in this technologically driven, fast-paced world. The letter ends with Romans 12:2, which states, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Modern English Version).

Conclusion

Change is good, and change is inevitable. There is a season for everything, and Christian schools are not exempt from changes, especially involving curriculum. Curriculum directors in Christian schools must be prepared to search out new curriculums when changes are needed. It is important to meet with stockholders yearly about pending curriculum changes. Most importantly, praying and fasting should be encouraged to ensure that the best curriculum for students is chosen. Teachers and staff must be prepared for training during the summer months to be sure they are able to teach the new curriculum to their students.

References

Georgia Department of Education. (2017). Curriculum and Instruction. Retrieved from http://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Curriculum-and-Instruction/Pages/default.aspx

Marati, J. (2012). 30 best quotes on change. Retrieved from http://ecosalon.com/30-best-quotes-on-change/

Parkay, F. W., Anctil, E. J., & Hass, G. (2014). Curriculum leadership: Readings for developing quality educational programs (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.