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Solving Curricular Challenges: Driving Change through a Clear Vision

Solving Curricular Challenges: Driving Change through a Clear Vision

Curriculum Strategy & Adoption  |  Organizational Leadership & Change Management  |  Strategic Planning

In our work with districts across the country, we frequently hear questions about instructional materials–from how to select high quality programs that match their needs, to building processes that are inclusive of key stakeholders, to developing sustainable processes for regularly reviewing and refining curriculum, just to name a few. Oftentimes, we see teams wanting to jump directly into reviewing materials or selecting a new program. But where we have seen the most success is in beginning with a clear instructional vision and using that to drive future work with curriculum or academics. 

HQIM Pyramid - Blog - Solving Curricular Challenges

Focusing on the WHY - establishing a shared vision 

Beginning with the instructional vision is key: “An instructional vision helps to communicate the expectations for teaching and learning and creates a common language for what effective instruction looks like in a classroom. The vision should guide the instructional materials adoption process, and serve as a critical lens through which all potential materials are viewed” (EdReports, “How to Articulate an Instructional Vision”). 

 

There may be an instructional vision that you already have, or one that you want to refine, or this could be an opportunity to start fresh. Begin by gathering relevant documents that outline your shared beliefs about instruction. Spend time reviewing these artifacts to see what still holds true and what needs to be adjusted to best match what you want to be true for students and teachers. 

 

Guiding Questions: 

  • What are your shared beliefs about the instructional experience for students and teachers? 
  • What do you expect to see when you go to classrooms? 
  • Are there nonnegotiables that must be a part of the instructional vision?  
  • What local context is important to this vision of instruction?

 

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Bringing together the WHO - forming the team

 

Alongside the need to clearly define the vision for instruction is another key priority: gathering the right team for this work. This is an opportunity to build on the expertise of teachers, leaders, and curriculum experts in your context. Additionally, this is a moment where you can bring in previously underrepresented voices to this process – for instance, having teachers at the table for key decisions throughout can create buy-in, enrich understandings, and create leadership opportunities for staff. 

 

In order to create new opportunities and not replicate old patterns of engagement, consider beginning with a reflection using a stakeholder engagement matrix to identify those who are highly impacted by this process and those who have the highest level of influence. The way you engage each of these groups should be targeted to their needs and context; tailoring your approach to getting them to the table will be important for creating investment throughout the process. 

 

Blog - Solving Curricular Challenges - Engagement Matrix

Stakeholder engagement matrix from Connect: Equitable Engagement Guide, Education Elements 

 

Guiding Questions: 

  • How do you get representation from key stakeholders who will be impacted by the work?
  • What is the value of participating in this process for stakeholders? 
  • How will you communicate the about the process and the vision?

 

After you confirm your Instructional Vision with a team that includes key stakeholders, this is when you might turn your attention to the instructional materials phase. The work ahead includes identifying guardrails and look-fors based on your Instructional Vision, developing an understanding of your current state (what materials are you using now?), and naming any district or school specific constraints necessary to keep in mind, to name a few pieces.

About Cristina Strunk

Cristina Strunk is an Associate Partner at Education Elements. She is committed to creating meaningful learning experiences for students and teachers. Cristina has spent the last ten years teaching, coaching, and working deeply with curriculum. She began her career in New Orleans, serving as a founding staff member at Harriet Tubman Charter School. During her time there, Cristina was a middle school interventionist, reading teacher, the middle school data leader, and also worked to revise the ELA curriculum to better meet the diverse needs of all students. After her time in New Orleans, Cristina taught at DC Preparatory Academy in Washington, D.C. and supported teachers in internalizing shifts in the curriculum and trying out innovative practices. She has worked to revise and write curriculum for the Strategic Education Research Partnership in Washington, D.C., in addition to working as a literacy coach with MIT’s Learning Lab and in the Cambridge Public Schools, and is a national curriculum reviewer for Edeports. She is passionate and experienced in data-informed decision making, curriculum adoption plans, instructional coaching, and personalized learning. Cristina received her B.A. from Tulane University, and her Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in Literacy Coaching. She is a native New Mexican, and now lives in St. Louis, Missouri.

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