EDU-S 512: Education Policy and the Secondary Curriculum

Overview

This course applies the knowledge, skills and proficiencies gained from the study of learning theories. Tactics for the effective implementation of curriculum and instruction will be covered. Students will also learn the social, economical, and educational forces influencing changes in the curriculum, while exploring policy implications and the true effects of these forces on the classroom. The course will also focus on content specific strategies for the secondary grade levels. Standards and assessments that have been externally mandated by the state or district will be analyzed so that they can be used as tools for ongoing curricular improvement.

Understanding the forces that influence classroom practice is only one step; using these forces to advantage is more important. Teachers can feel stymied by the many external factors that affect their classrooms, and this course is meant to provide strategies that enable teachers to make positive and lasting changes in the curriculum.

Reading assignments will correspond to the course objectives in each of the 8 course modules. Weekly "discussion" on the Forum will be required on a regular basis, usually with specific assigned topics. The Forum will give you the opportunity to share your personal experiences with curriculum as these experiences relate to what is presented in the course. The Forum will also give you the opportunity to learn from your classmates' experiences and encourage one another in the ongoing process of improving teaching and learning.

Academic print resources including recent textbooks and articles about curriculum design and implementation will form the basis of the reading material for the majority of the course modules. From that foundation, students in this course will be encouraged to apply the research and findings of educational experts in anticipation of their own classroom situations.

Introduction

Students enrolled in JIU’s School of Education will work with sponsors for their professional synthesizing projects to ensure their work addresses the authentic needs of specific learning communities. It is important for students to identify a sponsor early in the course in order for the sponsor to collaborate with the student on the project. You can read more about the sponsor in the JIU Sponsor Workbook.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe trends and forces that have shaped and continue to influence the secondary curriculum.
• Examine and analyze externally mandated assessments and standards as they relate to curriculum implementation.
• Realign curriculum design to incorporate student centered learning and "transformative" methods.
• Engage in operational leadership skills when designing, developing and implementing curriculum.
• Optimize and prioritize options for secondary curriculum and infuse theories and concepts to evaluate student learning and improve instruction.
• Integrate technology into secondary curriculum and describe its ramifications for students, teachers and schools.
• Design and implement a curriculum plan that is based on best practices and relevant research.

Required Texts
EDU-S 512 texts are available from the JIU/MBS bookstore