Curriculum Assumptions

A great professor of mine, Dr. Koski, challenged me some time ago with the notion that “The role of the curriculum and instruction position is to bring assumptions to light.”

This statement has remained with me and is one of the reasons for my belief that an instructional leader needs to question, prod, and poke in order to move organizations into a continuous cycle of growth. This inquiry into and the examination of assumptions requires deep listening and a belief in broad-based participation.

Even more so, we cannot be afraid of the answers nor can we avoid one of the essential duties of an instructional leader: Pushing Obstacles Out of the Way! Far too often, the restrictions and roadblocks stifle organizational and individual innovation. When leaders identify, negotiate, and remove obstacles, they allow others to thrive.

Thus, as someone interested in curriculum and instruction leadership, it is important for me to openly acknowledge my curriculum assumptions for the sake of transparency and to review where my bias, thus roadblocks, might occur.

Assumption 1: I believe curriculum should focus on breadth and depth of student growth of core knowledge, essential skills, and habits of minds across multiple disciplines and tied to big ideas that emphasize connections and applications.

Assumption 2: I believe curriculum should empower students through discovery, choice, connections, collaboration, and contributions.

Assumption 3: I believe curriculum and instruction need to be closely aligned resulting in core values and methodologies in all classrooms such as inquiry-based learning, participatory learning, and quality of thought

Assumption 4:  I believe curriculum should be seens as a dynamic organism evolving systemically with social changes.

Assumption 5:  I believe curriculum should not be guided by artificial barriers

Assumption 6:  I believe curriculum is best viewed from a humanistic and progressive mindset whereby the whole student is the focus

Assumption 7:  I believe a common curriculum representative of a unified, collective vision of all stakeholders is ideal: students, parents, teachers, support staff, and administrators

Assumption 8: I believe curriculum should encompass the study of literacies across all curriculum

Assumption 9: I believe curriculum should be flexible enough to support diverse instructional approaches yet viable enough for systemic implementation to ensure  it is guarnteed and accessible  to all students

Assumption 10: I believe curriculum is meant to be uncovered not covered.

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3. An Essential or a Luxury
4. Balance
5. Passionate Voices

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