Curriculum Leads: The Functions of Our Work

Lou Howell

Executive Director, Iowa ASCD

LouHowell@gmail.com 515.229.4781

The Guiding Principle of Our Work AS Leaders of Learning

The primary responsibility of curriculum leads is to develop the collective capacity of the organization to assure that all students are successful.

Accomplished through Collaborative Leadership in . . .

• Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
• Data Analysis
• Processes
• Learning and Professional Development
• Relationship Building
• Performance
• Operations
• Change
• KASAB

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4 Critical Questions Today

• Question 1: Curriculum Leadership: What are the guiding principles for our work as leaders of learning? What are the functions we must demonstrate – and then determine the form. Know your Why!
• Question 2: Monitoring Student Learning: How might I/we use data to inform decisions at the classroom and at the building and district levels? We must be results driven!
• Question 3: Managing Technical Aspects of System Change: What aspects of change will I/we need to consider as we implement the Iowa Core? It is all about the learning!
• Question 4: Implementing Quality Professional Development/Learning: How will I/we assure the design of professional development/learning to implement change? Know your root cause and then develop theory of change to get to desired state!

Function 1: Leaders of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment ��

• Leaders of learning ensure the increased achievement of the intended learning of all students through the alignment, monitoring, and evaluation of curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
• Learning Opportunities Today and Tomorrow – Check the strands!
• Resources:
• Leading Curriculum Development by Jon Wiles, Corwin Press, 2009
• Rigorous Curriculum Design by Larry Ainsworth, The Leadership and Learning Center, 2010
• “Defining Effective Curriculum Leadership” Understanding by Design by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe
• Instructional Leadership:  Creating Practice Out of Theory by Peter DeWitt, 2020
• Curriculum Leadership:  Strategies for Development and Implementation by Allan A. Glatthorn, Floyd A. Boschee, et al, 2018 The Principal’s Guide to Curriculum Leadership by Richard D. Sorenson, Lloyd M. Goldsmith, et al., 2011

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Function 2: Leaders of Data Analysis

• Leaders of learning assure all educators’ ability to use data to inform, implement, monitor, and evaluate results-driven decisions.
• Resources:
• Data Analysis for Continuous Improvement by Victoria L. Bernhardt, 2017
• PLC-Powered Data Teams: A Guide to Effective Collaboration and Learning by Polly Patrick and Angela Peery (2021)
• Data Teams: A Unified Management Model for Success Data-Focused Teams by Jesse Anderson (2020)

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Function 3: Leaders of Processes

• Curriculum leads establish and monitor common practices and procedures to assure alignment and achievement of initiatives and plans.

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• A great resource: National School Reform Faculty

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Function 4: Leaders of Learning and Professional Development

• Curriculum leads model, expect, monitor, and evaluate continuous learning of all.
• Learning Opportunities: Check out the strands
• Resources
• Learning Forward:
• Standards for Professional Learning
• Tools for Learning Schools
• Beyond PD: Teacher Professional Learning in High-Performing System
• Assessing Impact: Evaluating Professional Learning by Joellen Killion, Third Edition (2018)

Function 5: Leaders of Relationship Building

• We must ensure meaningful, two-way communication among all stakeholders for increased student learning.
• Resources
• Fierce Leadership by Susan Scott, 2009
• Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott, 2021
• The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace: Empowering Organizations by Encouraging People by Gary Chapman and Paul White (2019)

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Function 6: Leaders of Performance

• Curriculum leads assure the development, implementation, management, monitoring, communication, and evaluation of achievement of results-driven goals and initiatives informed by data.
• Resources
• The Perfect Assessment System by Rick Stiggins (2017)
• Introduction to Student-Involved Assessment FOR Learning by Jan Chappuis and Rick Stiggins (2016)
• Advancing Evidence-Based Practice through Program Evaluation: A Practical Guide for School-Based Professionals by Julie Q. Morrison and Anna L. Harms (2018)
• Leading a High Reliability School (Use Data-Driven Instruction and Collaborative Teaching Strategies to Boost Academic Achievement) by Robert J. Marzano, Phillip B. Warrick, et al (2018)
• Assessing Student Learning by Design: Principles and Practices for Teachers and School Leaders by Jay McTighe, Steve Errara, et al (2021)

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Function 7: Leaders of Operation

• We are responsible for organizing and assuring equitable and adequate resources (e.g., time, people, money, expertise), processes, and systems to achieve student success.

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• Great Resource – Dr. Allan Odden - Strategic Management of Human Capital in Education: Improving Instructional Practice and Student Learning in Schools (2011) and School Finance: A Policy Perspective 6th Edition (2021)

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Function 8: Leaders of Change

• We are the change agents who nurture schools, educators, and stakeholders through the change process to achieve desired results.

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• Great Resources on Change
• Leading in a Culture of Change by Michael Fullan (2020)
• 100-Day Leaders by Doug Reeves (2019)
• Managing Transitions, Making the Most of Change by William Bridges (2017)
• The Devil Is in the Details: System Solutions for Equity, Excellence, and Student Well-Being by Michael Fullan and Mary Jean Gallagher (2020)

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Leaders of Learning

Mother Goose shared,

“Good, better, best; never rest till good be better, and better best.”

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Resources for Curriculum Leaders’ 8 Functions