At the March 14, 2023 board meeting, Wicomico County Public Schools Director of Curriculum came before the Wicomico County Board of Education for them to approve curriculum for Biology and Environmental Science, only it wasn't curriculum that the board was presented with - it was science standards/framework. The board is responsible for approving the curriculum and materials of instruction for the entire county school system. WCPS administration has historically deceived the board into rubber-stamping such items, which dangerously allows administration to have full reign over the county's curriculum. Not so fast.
A Framework is an organized plan or set of standards or learning outcomes that defines the content to be learned in terms of clear, definable standards of what the student should know and be able to do.
A Curriculum includes the content that is part of the plan for instruction, including a scope and sequence, instructional units, lesson plans, resources, teaching strategies, and more.
An attempt was made by the WCPS Director of Curriculum (woman in blue) to try and pass off science standards/framework as "curriculum" in order for her to have full control over the curriculum by deceiving the board. One thing that the Director of Curriculum failed to present along with the Supervisor of Science was the actual curriculum content, which would include materials of instruction. According to the Science Supervisor, they would not have any content to show the board until 2025. The Director of Curriculum was allowing the Supervisor of Science to flounder in uncharted waters as she silently sat by. It was not right to place the Supervisor of Science in this predicament. The question is, then why were they there before the board? This lack of planning and lax attitude negatively impacts our children.
This is very serious. The academic proficiency of our students is subpar, and they are failing. We cannot afford to continue shooting from the hip in running our schools. This is the very pattern of behavior that got us in this hot mess. Since the Director of Curriculum took the position a little over a year ago, she is proving that she is not fit for the job. If she cannot demonstrate the difference between standards and curriculum in her role as the Director of Curriculum, then that's a big problem. Such a stunt is insulting to the board, and very sneaky.
Since At-Large board member Kristin Hazel identified this bait-and-switch tactic and called it out, it was refreshing to see the majority of the board realize what was taking place. Hazel then made a motion to modify the agenda to call what was presented before the board as "Curriculum Framework." It is crucial that the elected board clearly recognizes these games, rolls up their sleeves, and digs into the district's curriculum as our entire future depends on it. It is great to have a majority board that understands this and where we need to go to ensure the success of all.
Fellows & Editors
April 7, 2023 - Copyright DelmarvaPTC.org
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