Curriculum Excellence and Celebrating Our Principals

October Updates: Curriculum Excellence and Celebrating Our Principals

This month, the Dover School District focused on two key areas: advancing curriculum development and honoring the essential contributions of our principals. Here’s a closer look at the highlights.

Curriculum Development: A Backward Design Approach

The district has made significant strides in curriculum development, with 37 new curricula completed and presented for board approval. These represent a total of 740 hours of dedicated work by curriculum writers and content supervisors.

A Unique Approach: Backward Design

Dover employs the backward design model for curriculum creation, prioritizing end goals to ensure students meet educational standards:

1. Identifying Learning Standards: Writers begin by determining the key skills and knowledge students must acquire.

2. Designing Assessments: The next step involves creating assessments that measure mastery of these standards.

3. Developing Instructional Activities: Finally, learning activities are designed to align with standards and assessments, ensuring a cohesive learning experience.

The district’s detailed review process involves multiple stages of feedback, including:

• Supervisor-led guidance and feedback during the first unit.

• Iterative reviews by supervisors, the assistant superintendent, and the curriculum committee.

• A final round of revisions before board approval.

This rigorous process ensures high-quality, standards-aligned curricula that support student success.

Honoring National Principals Month

October marks National Principals Month, a time to recognize the vital role that principals and vice principals play in creating thriving school communities.

The Heart of Leadership

Principals and vice principals are integral to the success of students, staff, and families. Their responsibilities go beyond academics, encompassing:

• Problem-Solving and Coaching: Acting as mentors for teachers and students.

• Building Relationships: Strengthening the school’s culture and fostering collaboration.

• Setting the Tone: Creating a positive, safe, and welcoming environment for learning.

Research underscores their importance, ranking them as the second most significant influence on student success after classroom teachers. In recognition of their dedication, the district will host a luncheon at the Belmont Building next week, celebrating their hard work and leadership.

Looking Ahead

With more curricula to review next month and ongoing efforts to support staff and students, the Dover School District continues to prioritize academic excellence and community engagement.

Thank you to our curriculum writers, supervisors, principals, and vice principals for their tireless efforts in making our schools a place of growth, learning, and connection!