Curriculum Decisions Educational Consulting

08/29/2025

Given I curriculum consult with schools & districts nationally & internationally, I found points made in this article worth pondering, not only for the UK, but for the US and around the world: https://www.tes.com/magazine/teaching-learning/general/how-schools-can-avoid-common-curriculum-mistakes

With the curriculum and assessment review expected to deliver its findings in the autumn, Mark and Zoe Enser outline six common curriculum pitfalls, and how effective schools avoid them

07/21/2025

The Back-to-School Season Is Here! 🎒

This time of year always brings a wave of energy and anticipation—teachers setting up their classrooms, students wondering what the year will hold, and schools buzzing with possibilities. And while much of that excitement is front and center, important work is also happening behind the scenes!

As a consultant of 30+ years who partners with curriculum directors and school leaders, I specialize in helping schools strengthen instruction by aligning teaching with standards and curriculum in thoughtful, systemic ways across grade levels.

If you are looking to equip yourself and your leadership team to better promote clarity, purpose, and lasting impact on student learning and engagement, now is the perfect time to connect with me! Let’s make this school year a truly meaningful one for everyone!🍎

05/30/2025

🎯 Planning Professional Learning for Next School Year? Start Here!
Are your teachers truly teaching what they believe they’re teaching?
Before finalizing next year's PD calendar, take a moment to think deeply about standards literacy, prioritizing standards, and curriculum alignment.
In this thought-provoking podcast episode, I was interviewed by Jen Paul, and we explored:
🔍 Why standards are often misunderstood—and how to address it
🧩 The importance and power of systematically prioritizing standards
📚 How deep standards knowledge empowers teachers using both purchased and in-house curriculum
Whether you're in a public or private school or district, this conversation offers valuable insights to guide your next steps in curriculum and instruction—and ultimately support better outcomes for your students.
📺 Watch the full podcast video here: https://lnkd.in/euJ5GmFu

05/09/2024

Interesting insights into the Assessment Framework spark engaging conversations regarding designing NGSS 3-D learning in all grades (not just for for the 2028 assessment in Grades 4, 8, & 12)

Learn what educators need to know about the 2028 NAEP Science Assessment Framework, recently adopted by the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB).

11/02/2023

Nice to read a validation article regarding my expertise in
Mike Schmoker quote from article "The Best Curriculum? One Teachers Build - Aside from quality phonics programs, I'm not a fan of prepackaged (or agenda-driven) curriculum products. Even the so-called "best" of these are too long on skills, multiple-choice exercises, worksheets.... Leaders with highly praised curriculum programs have admitted to me privately that their programs need to be modified considerably and supplemented with more purposeful reading, discussion, and writing (Schmoker, 2019)."
Article - We Need Coherent, Teacher-Built Curriculum—NOW! | https://www.ascd.org/el/articles/we-need-coherent-teacher-built-curriculum-now

The action that would most raise student achievement is creating a coherent curriculum for—and with—our teachers. What are we waiting for?

07/17/2023

Enjoyed reading my colleagues, Heidi Hayes Jacobs and Mike Fisher's, post - Prompt Literacy: A Key for AI-Based Learning post - and their recommended CAST model https://www.ascd.org/el/articles/prompt-literacy-a-key-for-ai-based-learning via

Students need to learn how to interact with AI programs in the same way they learn writing processes, math strategies, or research techniques.

06/06/2023

Part 3 of my "One for All and All for One!" post is out reflecting on the need for educators to be engaged in collegial conversations & decision making to prioritize based on my Part 2 post addressing the reality that there are too many standards!

As I mentioned in the conclusion of Part 2 , teachers prioritizing broken apart standards with a systemic (across the grade levels) mindset need to do so using a process with two requirements that...

05/24/2023

How well do your teachers "own" their students' learning standards?
Read my "One for All, and All for One!" Part 2 post to learn why participating in a Bullseye Prioritizing Standards process is a worthwhile and eye-opening experience that positively affects learning & teaching!

Teachers and administrators often admit that they do not know their standards intimately. Why? Many share it is because they assume the purchased programs they use for classroom instruction...

05/17/2023

As a curriculum consultant who specializes in curriculum design, mapping, and standards alignment, I often get asked, "What is the best curriculum management platform?" My answer is, "It depends on your usage goals." This post does an excellent job at differentiating curriculum management software options!

Effective teaching and learning is the ultimate goal of the curriculum management process. As such, digitizing the management of curriculum through the use of curriculum management software facilitates the continuous ...

05/02/2023

Wrote a 3-part blog post for GLOBAL Consulting Group
"All for One, and One for All!" Here is Part 1...

This motto made famous in Alexandre Dumas’ “The Three Musketeers”, harkens to a collective passion for making a team effort. In a curriculum-design context, the one represents a student’s...

02/16/2023

Thought-provoking article ... Well worth reading...

Learn four ways to building deeper critical and creative thinking to ensure every student is ready for the challenges of the 21st century.

09/07/2022

What an AWESOME life moment to reconnect with one of my first graders (a little older now😊), Julian Martinez, & his lovely daughter Juliana Sweeny, who started her first year as a high school teacher and coach!