Dive Brief:

• A new book by education researchers Janine Remillard and Joshua Taton argues that, despite prevailing myths, curriculum programs can help even the best teachers.
• Some districts are treating the Common Core State Standards as a guide on what to teach and leaving it up to teachers to figure out how to deliver the content, but "Challenging Standards: Navigating Conflict and Building Capacity in..." says this approach is flawed.
• Instead, Remillard and Taton argue that preconstructed, classroom-tested, high-quality curriculum can provide a “map” of when students should learn what, based on research and the wider breadth of content available.

Dive Insight:

Remillard and Taton put forward an interesting argument about the source of the idea that the best creator of curriculum is the experienced teacher.

Per an excerpt published by eSchool News: “In short, this myth is based on and promotes an image of teachers as solo performers and of curriculum programs as props or scripts. Although these perceptions appear to honor teachers, they actually work against teaching and school improvement."

Instead, the researchers posit, curriculum and teachers’ expert knowledge and pedagogical skills should work in concert. For school leaders, the focus should be on giving teachers time to collaborate and study material — and on ensuring that any curriculum chosen gives teachers room to use their judgement rather than just prescribing action.

Recommended Reading

eSchool News: Debunking the myth that good teachers shouldn’t use curriculum aids