Canton initiates 'curriculum mapping'
CANTON — Educators at Canton Central School District have launched a three-year "curriculum mapping" project that utilizes a new computer software program to analyze which academic skills are being taught to students at various grade levels.
They hope to improve coordination among the district's teachers regarding what material is being taught in different classrooms. Another goal is to identify curriculum areas that need to be strengthened.
"Too often curriculum decisions are being made in a vacuum," Superintendent William A. Gregory told Board of Education members Thursday evening. "Teachers usually have limited knowledge about what happens in each others' classrooms."
Mr. Gregory said the district spent $7,000 to purchase Atlas software to implement the curriculum mapping.
"It's very user-friendly software. It will allow for any level of discussion," Mr. Gregory said. "This is a three-year plan, but it's something that's never really finished. It will be ongoing."
Teachers received software training in October and will continue the mapping process during two days to be designated in January and February, he said.
The process involves having all teachers, pre-kindergarten through grade 12, input data into the mapping program that informs fellow educators about what topics and skills are being covered in their classrooms.
"Everybody has begun to map their courses," Mr. Gregory said.
The data will be used by teachers to improve how they coordinate curriculum within their own grade level and how it integrates with other grade levels.
"We'll be able to look at our curriculum through a horizontal lens as well as a vertical lens," the superintendent said. "Teachers will talk about it and make necessary adjustments."
McKenney Middle School Principal Jennifer W. Rurak said the mapping process will help faculty members identify which academic concepts need greater emphasis. Student results on state assessment tests can be tied in with the mapping process, she said.
"It will help us identify where we need to make a change," Mrs. Rurak said.
