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International School International School CurriculumsCurriculums

“Every School Has a Story”“Every School Has a Story”

Thursday, June 24, 2010 CAISA Summer WorkshopThursday, June 24, 2010 CAISA Summer Workshop

Michael –Michael –

It has been suggested that we have a presentation on It has been suggested that we have a presentation on the content, strengths, and weaknesses of the various the content, strengths, and weaknesses of the various curriculums to be found at our 180 international curriculums to be found at our 180 international schools.  Folks here think that's a great idea.  You schools.  Folks here think that's a great idea.  You have been around and probably can do this with your have been around and probably can do this with your eyes covered and hands tied behind your back! eyes covered and hands tied behind your back!  Okay? Can't give you a whole lot of time so you will  Okay? Can't give you a whole lot of time so you will have to be concise.  Preparing a handout will be have to be concise.  Preparing a handout will be important so they can refer to it later as they will not important so they can refer to it later as they will not be able to retain so much information delivered in be able to retain so much information delivered in such a short period of time. I can provide a good joke such a short period of time. I can provide a good joke if you need one.if you need one.

PetePete2

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A story about A story about the Director of CAISAthe Director of CAISA

“A Vision of God”“A Vision of God”

Pages of the StoryPages of the Story

IOWAIOWA IBOIBO ACER ACER AEROAEROAP AP

MAPSMAPS ERBERB ACTACT MYPMYP SATSAT

IGCSEIGCSE PYP PYP A LevelsA Levels IB Diploma IB Diploma

PSAT PSAT TOKTOK NETSNETS Terza Media Terza Media

Ministry of Education ( Cairo )Ministry of Education ( Cairo )

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International School Learning International School Learning Communities - AssumptionsCommunities - Assumptions

► School Mission/Philosophy - Core Educational Values Are School Mission/Philosophy - Core Educational Values Are DiverseDiverse

► Student Centered Decisions / Learning Programs / ActivitiesStudent Centered Decisions / Learning Programs / Activities

► Curricular Programs Curricular Programs areare influenced by Accreditation influenced by Accreditation

► Curriculum and student learning is a journey ( Atlas Curriculum and student learning is a journey ( Atlas Rubicon )Rubicon )

► Teachers, administrators, students and parents are all Teachers, administrators, students and parents are all influenced by transition dynamics. (Suitcase Curriculum)influenced by transition dynamics. (Suitcase Curriculum)

► Schools are in competition to recruit quality teachers with Schools are in competition to recruit quality teachers with appropriate training and experience. ( I.B. ESL etc. )appropriate training and experience. ( I.B. ESL etc. )

► Teachers are encouraged to try innovations. ( Technology )

Curriculum AdvantagesCurriculum Advantages

► Because of the socio-economic characteristics of the Because of the socio-economic characteristics of the student and parent population, an atmosphere of “higher student and parent population, an atmosphere of “higher expectations” prevails (i.e. self-fulfilling prophecy - expectations” prevails (i.e. self-fulfilling prophecy - students do well when they are expected to do well). students do well when they are expected to do well). Students as a rule are more highly motivated and focused Students as a rule are more highly motivated and focused on academic achievement. However, growing numbers of on academic achievement. However, growing numbers of schools are embracing a diverse set of learners and in turn schools are embracing a diverse set of learners and in turn are developing or clarifying program offerings that meet are developing or clarifying program offerings that meet their needs. their needs.

► Multi-cultural factor, i.e. because there are students from Multi-cultural factor, i.e. because there are students from various nationalities, all students have the opportunities to various nationalities, all students have the opportunities to learn about other cultures, to have friends from other learn about other cultures, to have friends from other cultures, and to develop a greater degree of cultures, and to develop a greater degree of understanding, tolerance, and acceptance of other cultures understanding, tolerance, and acceptance of other cultures than those students who attend schools only in their home than those students who attend schools only in their home country.country.

Curriculum AdvantagesCurriculum Advantages

► Because of the multi-cultural aspects of the school, an Because of the multi-cultural aspects of the school, an emphasis is often placed on teaching foreign emphasis is often placed on teaching foreign languages, so students have a greater chance of languages, so students have a greater chance of learning another language. Also, students actually hear learning another language. Also, students actually hear their friends speaking other languages, thereby their friends speaking other languages, thereby understanding the importance of learning other understanding the importance of learning other languages.languages.

► The school curriculum is not usually bound by specific The school curriculum is not usually bound by specific US state or national standards. Standardized testing US state or national standards. Standardized testing programs can be used to diagnose students and revise programs can be used to diagnose students and revise curriculum, as opposed to measure or compare US curriculum, as opposed to measure or compare US district or school standards. Most schools operate district or school standards. Most schools operate within a standards based curriculum framework which within a standards based curriculum framework which makes it a journey.makes it a journey.

Curriculum ConsiderationsCurriculum Considerations

► The language of instruction is English, although some The language of instruction is English, although some schools offer bilingual programs - typically the other schools offer bilingual programs - typically the other language being the host country language.language being the host country language.

► The level of host nation enrollment varies from none The level of host nation enrollment varies from none (sometimes by policy) to almost all. Unless clearly (sometimes by policy) to almost all. Unless clearly defined ( Strategic Thinking ) curriculum decisions may defined ( Strategic Thinking ) curriculum decisions may try to be all things to all people.try to be all things to all people.

► The curriculum will support offering a US High School The curriculum will support offering a US High School diploma, sometimes the International Baccalaureate diploma, sometimes the International Baccalaureate programs and diploma, AP courses and the AP programs and diploma, AP courses and the AP International Diploma, the IGCSE, or A Levels either in International Diploma, the IGCSE, or A Levels either in addition to the US Diploma or instead of. addition to the US Diploma or instead of.

Curriculum ConsiderationsCurriculum Considerations

► Curriculum will vary from school to school, sometimes Curriculum will vary from school to school, sometimes very much like a quality private independent school, very much like a quality private independent school, most often offering US type courses which are modified most often offering US type courses which are modified to meet needs of multicultural population (i.e. to meet needs of multicultural population (i.e. including literature and history of host country and including literature and history of host country and other countries, intercultural programs). other countries, intercultural programs).

► Curriculum structures will vary from school to school, in Curriculum structures will vary from school to school, in term of how it delivers special needs programs, but term of how it delivers special needs programs, but almost always some type of English as a Second almost always some type of English as a Second Language program will be present due to the student Language program will be present due to the student population the school attracts and serves.population the school attracts and serves.

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Essential QuestionsEssential Questions

► What is taught in the curriculum?What is taught in the curriculum?

► What is intended in the curriculum? What is intended in the curriculum?

► What is learned? (Student Data)What is learned? (Student Data)

► What evidence is there of a complete curriculum What evidence is there of a complete curriculum framework? (Learning Outcomes)framework? (Learning Outcomes)

► Is there seamless technology and a common Is there seamless technology and a common language policy that unites instructional language policy that unites instructional practices? practices?

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Student Data tells a StoryStudent Data tells a Story

► Despite the variety of curriculum frameworks – Despite the variety of curriculum frameworks – student data on learning is more often than not, student data on learning is more often than not, available and reflective of the students served.available and reflective of the students served.

► ACER - ERB - IOWA - MAP - SAT - ACT - AP - IB

► School Wide Learning Outcomes – Curriculum Framework

► Student Portfolios – Standards Based Grading and Reporting

► E Portfolios – Implications for College Admissions

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A Story of PartnershipA Story of Partnership

► CAISA serves as a “Cultural Broker” in terms of understanding the curriculum framework and the extent of student learning.

► Schools will expect future protocols and visits to support student learning.

► Parents have great trust in an accredited school.

► School leaders and faculty need to appreciate the accreditation process for the professional development experience it provides those who embrace it.

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Some very happy Some very happy stories….stories….

► Curricular Programs provide Transformational Student Learning Experiences

► Service Learning - Community Service - Sustainability

► NAIS - “20/20 Challenge” - High Noon - J. F. Rischard

► Holistic programs for the Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Sports and Activities.

► NESA Virtual School Science Fair - One to One Laptop Initiatives - Seamless Technology - Cultural Sensitivity

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Future Stories for Future Stories for CurriculumCurriculum

► A transparent curriculum, with common assessments, that is clearly defined across the institution and articulates with each division of the school.

► Curriculum Review Cycle - Atlas Rubicon Mapping

► Understanding the Levels of Differentiation – Value Added

► The Role of Learning Outcomes – Hidden Curriculum

► Technology Integration - NETS Standards

Issues in International Issues in International EducationEducation

““Problems give you opportunities to Problems give you opportunities to

challenge yourself and build your challenge yourself and build your

character”character”

A message to the 2009 Graduates A message to the 2009 Graduates

of Endicott College from Richard E. Wylie - of Endicott College from Richard E. Wylie -

PresidentPresident

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Summary Chapter - Good to Summary Chapter - Good to GreatGreat

School ImprovementSchool ImprovementAccreditation Focus - Teaching and Learning - 8th Edition - Vision Professional Learning Communities supporting Collaboration Authentic Learning Experiences – Supporting Internationalism Differentiated Instruction Common Curriculum Common Assessments

Student Learning Empowers - Service, Citizenship and Sustainability

Global Awareness / Global Problems - Models Best Practice

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Clarifying QuestionsClarifying Questions

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Thank you for Thank you for your support of your support of

CAISA!CAISA!