Assignment 2

ASSIGNMENT 1: CURRICULUM INCEPTION

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Introduction

Eanes Independent School District (Eanes ISD) is one of the best performing schools in the U.S. Its headquarters are in unincorporated Travis County, Texas (USA). Eanes ISD is made of up of six elementary schools, one high school and two middle schools which are highly rated for their exemplary performance in the provision of quality education. This school district has developed a core curriculum framework that ensures adherence and mastery of all state-mandated Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. Moreover, it has prioritized itself to ensure continued development and a collaborative sequence of friendly learner progression. Eanes ISD's dedication to supporting STAAR and End of course exams have also contributed to its exemplary results in providing quality education not only in Texas but in the whole country as well.

Overview of the Eanes ISD

Eanes ISD has an approximated population of 8,000 students in all its nine schools. This school district has a comprehensive curriculum and a wide array of enrichment opportunities that include 1:1 mobile device district(Washburn,2016). Teachers. All its nine campuses of Eanes ISD have achieved the highest rating of "Met Standard" in the state accountability ratings. One of its key strengths is the staff dedication to quality and performance. For instance, in 2015-2016, Eanes ISD staff tallied over 20,000 hours of professional development (Mrdreamhome,2013).

New Curriculum Guidelines

Following the State's recently passed bill that required an update of Texas Common Core Standards in English Language Arts and Literacy in History, Eanes ISD's board has decided to roll out a plan on how to the proposed curriculum standard changes will be implemented. This move signifies the readiness of willingness of the school board to support the State's commitment to high-quality education that is based on content standards. The proposed changes build on Texas's previous English language arts standards but they will incorporate current research and input from al the State and National educational sources(Washburn,2016). These new standards require that English arts and literacy teachers cooperate with academic content subjects to promote the integrated model of literacy across the curriculum. These standards are based on research, aligned with college, career expectation and also internationally benchmarked.

Reading Standards for literature K-4 and K-5

The newly established standards will be for grade K-5, K-6, and K-7. Each standard will be implemented in its own unique way but they're all geared towards improving the quality of education of Eanes ISD.

· K.4 Level

The key standards in this level require development and demonstration of reading skills in response to text by;

1. Posing and answering any arising question.

2. Seeking clarification and tracing facts about stories.

3. Seeking to establish a story's central theme by retelling its beginning, middle as well as the end.

4. Integrating information from multiple sources on the same topic so as to provide an objective and knowledgeable conclusion.

5. Distinguishing information provided pictorially, graphically or any other illustration with that provided in words.

6. Identifying basic similarities and differences between multiple texts on the same topic. (For example, descriptions, and analysis).

· K-5 level

The key standards in this level require development and demonstration of reading skills in response to text by;

1. Drawing conclusions by citing any textual evidence to substantiate analysis of anything said in the text.

2. Whenever understanding breaks down, consider comprehension and make any relevant corrections and adjustment.

3. Using Latin, Greek or any other credible linguistic root words as well as their prefixes to establish the meaning of any phrase or vocabulary used.

4. Making use of context to establish the probable meaning of unfamiliar phrases or vocabulary.

5. Determining words and phrases hat imply contrast, correlation or any other direct or indirect relationship.

6. Making accurate quotations from a text whenever explaining what the text says explicitly or /and drawing inferences from the same text.

7. Making use of speaker's reflection on a topic to establish the theme of a poem, film or story.

8. Comparing and contrasting various characters in a story, poem or any other text while drawing any useful specific details.

9. Giving an explanation of how a serious of stanzas, lines, paragraphs, chapters or scenes fit together to give an objective and comprehensive structure of a poem, story or play.

Benefits of the pilot curriculum to students

1. The new standards will be beneficial to students because they will help to align the education provided in the state with the set quality standards set by the state and the nation at large.

2. These new standards will improve the student's critical thinking abilities. For example, these standards will influence students to stop memorizing information but rather read and understand it. Critical thinking and creativity is one of the critical strengths not only in career life but also in their day-to-day activities.

3. The standards covered in this pilot curriculum will introduce students to blogging while improving their writing quality. The standards will impart skills needed in gathering information from multiple print and digital sources using search terms effectively. In addition, teaching based on these standards will help improve their grammar and ability to write quality literature items such as blogs, films, dramas, and plays. Moreover, this pilot curriculum will help students transition to a more vibrant and engage in a writing program for modern literature.

By promoting discussion and objective debating, standards provided in this plot curriculum will improve the students' achievement in a formal articulation of thoughts, ideas, and opinions. This will prepare them to collaborate ideas, defend opinions and refine their understanding. This is an important impetus behind many trials to write across the curriculum.

Core instructional goals of the curriculum

The core curriculum is an integral part of Tier 1 instruction and it's the foundation for K-4 and K-5 in Eanes ISD. In each of the two levels, the curriculum will be based upon the standards set by the state. The four main core instructional goals of the curriculum are;

1. To create literate and thoughtful communicators who are capable of controlling the language in all domains of life. At the end of the program, all the students should be able to comfortable express their ideas belief, ideologies, and feelings in any area of their life.

2. To prepare students for higher education. Some of the students wish to continue their education to master's degree or Ph.D. level. The new standards of this curriculum will set the basis for building their higher education ladder. Students will be gain knowledge on the strategies for acquiring academic knowledge and attaining independence in learning.

3. To impart students with distinctive writing voice which is needed for self-expression. Teachers will provide students with opportunities to interact, explore and communicate. Engaging them on ideas and reading each other's writing will impart them with both formal and informal communication skills.

4. To prepare responsible individuals who can participate in both their school and civil life. This is important in nurturing individuals who can develop a common ground and people who have respect for differences.

Conclusion

This pilot curriculum is will set a good foundation for the development of the other curriculum proposals. Its in-depth analysis of all the strategies to incorporate the new standards established by the state.

References

Bond, N. (2014). The power of teacher leaders: Their roles, influence, and impact. Routledge.

Mrdreamhome (2013). Eanes Independent School District, Austin. Atlas Reality. Retrieved from: http://www.mrdreamhome.com/eanes-school-district

Washburn,T. (2016). Curriculum , Instruction and Assessment. EANES ISD. Retrieved from: http://www.eanesisd.net/departments/cia