How YOU Successfully Change Your School’s Curriculum

In general terms, what I mean by “changing your school’s curriculum” is to set a new

direction for what you teach, how you teach and how you evaluate student success. Like any other successful strategic plan, you need to set goals, action plans and detailed initiatives which list who, what and when actions will be taken and completed.

First, you need to prepare curriculum audits for every course taught. These audits are then examined by each academic department, a school-wide curriculum committee, divisional leaders or academic deans. The result of these studies should lead to a road map for curriculum revision.

It is important that the new direction be closely tied to the school’s Mission and Strategic Plan. It is also key that every department and every teacher give an honest effort to get on board with the new direction. Institutions should be rooted in tradition, but it is even more important that the institution’s program of study is fluid, innovative and constantly evolving to meet the needs of its students.

Planning and implementing school change is an exciting, but challenging time for any head of school. You have to lay the foundation for change with your board leadership and your administrative leadership teams. You have to prepare the most difficult school constituency, the faculty and staff, for change. Once you set the new direction, you have to stay the course, The leadership at Vism has had  a good deal of experience handling school change and helping schools make the process a winning experience for all students, faculty, parents and board members.

If you are thinking about planning a new direction, or are in the process and need some help, please contact Dexter Morse, President of Vism, at dexter.morse62@gmail.com or by phone at 508-847-1660.