Knowledge or Abilities Gained
Observation
A large number of classes are fairly clear about what their objective is. The objective is to learn math or learn how to read. Or, maybe, learn how to read, write and speak a foreign language. But, some curricula are more nebulous about what they're trying to teach, whether by inability to articulate, covert design or just plain carelessness.
In some cases, the intention is to promote “X”, but that would be unacceptable or too controversial. The solution is to obscure it and say the objective is something else and then go ahead and teach the course with the objective of “X” and hope that people don’t notice.
Plan
Establish a rule that every course defines the student knowledge or abilities gained for that course and get it in writing and published.
Basics
1. Who are the players
School Board
Teachers
School Staff and Administration
Publishers
2. Worthwhile Purpose - Learning materials that deliver a tangible product to the student
3 Who’s In-charge – Bill (a fictional person, write name of real person here).
4. How is it Organized
Decide on virtual and/or in-person meetings.
5. How Reorganized - make sure there is a well-defined process for regular inspection and reorganization, if needed.
Target Date
1 year.
Vital To Do
Get a comprehensive list of publications and courses.
Conditional
Inspect the area. If the materials or courses are well defined, mark them as so and move onto the next one.
Actions
Get a comprehensive list of materials and courses. Divide them into categories or groups so they are easier to handle.
Determine the item's stated or apparent objective. Also note any other objective, stated or implied.
Get a teacher or knowledgeable person to do an evaluation of things and give interpretative comments.
Keep an accurate log of items inspected and report these to the public and authorities.
Issue request to publishers or suppliers to edit or amend those that are found in need of change.
Repeat the process periodically to catch new or missed materials.
Statistical Measurement of Progress
Number of courses or items reviewed.
Number of reports published.