Whether you are looking for a book which introduces curriculum foundations, planning a district curriculum or searching for a deeper understanding of curriculum and its influence in K-12 education, this book will meet your expectations.  Glatthorn provides tools for curriculum developers such as a Criteria for Evaluating Curriculum Guides, a Criteria for Evaluating a Program of Studies, and a tool for Assessing District Needs.

In chapter five, Glatthorn addresses the problem that most school districts have faced.  Once a curriculum map or curriculum document is completed, teachers and administrators assume that the work is completed.  Rather than seeing curriculum documents as the finish line, he suggests three important processes: aligning the curriculum, producing support materials, and monitoring the curriculum (Glatthorn, 1994, p. 49).  “Curriculum alignment can be defined as a process of aligning the written curriculum (the one that appears in guides), the tested curriculum (the one that appears in tests), and the supported curriculum (the one that appears in textbooks and other resources) to make the taught curriculum (the one the teacher actually delivers) more effective” (p. 49).

While several curriculum books focus on curriculum theory, this book provides both theory and examples of how curriculum developers can support the ongoing work of teachers and administrators.  Glatthorn begins with assessing a district’s needs and shares essential steps for laying the foundation of a quality curriculum.  Implementation of the district guide, development of the school curriculum and development of classroom curriculum are addressed in chapters six through eight.  Chapter nine focuses on conducting a curriculum audit, a topic which is addressed in greater detail by Fenwick English.  Every school needs a quality curriculum, but many teachers and administrators do not know the process for meeting their goal.  “Choosing important knowledge, sequencing it well, and getting it behind every classroom door in every grade” (Parker, 1991, p. 84) is an important part of ensuring that all students receive a rigorous and relevant education.  This book will help educators begin the process of developing a quality curriculum and implementing it in each classroom.  

Glatthorn, A.A. (1994). Developing a quality curriculum. Alexandria, VA:
         Association for Supervision of Curriculum and Development.

 


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