K-12 Curriculum Development

By July, most school systems have received data from student report cards, state testing results, feedback from parents/guardians, and student portfolios which demonstrate the student's growth from the beginning of the school year until the last day of school.  What processes will teachers and administrators use to improve the written and taught curriculum in the upcoming school year?  What strategies should be developed to provide additional support to struggling readers?

According to Senge, Scharmer, Jaworski, and Flowers (2004), "Most change initiatives that end up going nowhere don't fail because they lack grand visions and noble intentions.  They fail because people can't see the reality they face"
(p. 29).  A tool for identifying the realities faced by a school and one which will help your team determine 'next steps' is a SWOT Analysis.  A SWOT Analysis looks at and defines the strengths and weaknesses of the internal environment of the school or school system, as well as the opportunities and threats within the environment external to the organization or organizational unit.

Once educators have identified the existing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, they can build plans to support student achievement.  Instructional priorities will based on the outcomes of the SWOT Analysis, rather than focusing on 'what worked' last year.  Educators will notice that what is perceived as a threat for the upcoming school year could also be a new opportunity. 

"Systems don't change by themselves. Rather, the actions of individuals and small groups working on new conceptions intersect to produce breakthroughs"
(Fullan, 1993).

Resource:
SWOT Analysis Template (See attached document)

References:

Fullan, M. (1993). Change forces: Probing the depths of educational reform.
        London: Falmer Press.

Senge, P., Scharmer, C.O., Jaworski, J., & Flowers, B.S. (2004). Presence: An
          exploration of profound change in people, organizations, and society.
          New York: Doubleday.