District Adopts New Curriculum Program

Quinlan Independent School District has adopted a new curriculum program that will begin next year.

"This is the best comprehensive curriculum program I have seen," said Supt. Micheal French. "Many schools in the state have implemented this program and have experienced large gains in student performance. The exemplar lesson plans are structured providing teachers with optimal resources to teach key concepts in a more easy to understand format for students. This curriculum follows the Five-E teaching model which is essential in providing a 21st century education for all students."

"We have to change the way we deliver information in the classroom," said Secondary Curriculum Director Gail McDaniel. "Children learn differently than we did when we were in school due to the amazing amount of technology available. Students utilize technology in the form of Facebook, MySpace, cell phone text messaging, video gaming, internet navigation, blogging and so much more every day. It is essential to reach students in a more dynamic and engaging way. No longer can a teacher sit behind a desk, lecture and expect optimal student performance and learning."

CSCOPE curriculum is customizable to address the specific needs of educators.

Communications Director Tiffony Hopper said some of the systemic curriculum model components include: Scope and Sequence Instructional Focus Documents and Vertical Alignment Documents; online model concept-based instructional units; research-based instructional plans are aligned with TEKS/TAKS and include instructional strategies, questioning techniques and intervention plans; integrated unit assessments mirror TAKS to formally assess student understanding throughout the learning process; and full benchmark assessments.

French said, "The implementation of CSCOPE will be an on-going process. The curriculum is not perfect, but it is one of the best vertically- and horizontally-aligned curriculums available. The implementation process will be difficult, and some will not believe in its effectiveness. However, our students deserve a rigorous curriculum designed for authentic, deep-rooted learning that will enable them to think critically and compete in a global society."

Hopper said CSCOPE is a comprehensive, customizable, user-friendly curriculum management system built on current research-based practices in the field that has been adopted by the QISD Board of Trustees. Its primary focus is to impact instructional practices in the classroom to improve student performance. She said this multi-faceted system includes three key components: professional development, curriculum and assessment and innovative instruction. The main premise of the curriculum is rigor, relevance and quality.

Supt. French along with Deputy Supt. Dr. Debra Crosby, Elementary Curriculum Director Sue Boone and McDaniel will work with campus administrators and staff members to phase in the CSCOPE curriculum over the next few years. The district currently utilizes the Sharon Wells Math curriculum that will continue to be used at the elementary level campuses.

At the heart of the CSCOPE process is a guaranteed and viable curriculum, Hopper said. Content area experts from several regional education service centers ensure quality through a process of continual review.

Hopper listed key components of the CSCOPE curriculum: a K-12 systemic model in the four content areas; common language, structure and process for curriculum delivery; aligned written, taught and tested curriculum; clarified and specified TEKS/TAKS expectations assembled in a vertical alignment format to eliminate multiple interpretations; customizable instructional plans that allow district resources to be integrated into the system; and lessons in both English and Spanish.

"Professional Development for QISD educators and Innovative Technology are key to the CSCOPE curriculum and its overall success," states the district spokesperson. "Anyone who would like to research more about the implementation of CSCOPE into QISD classrooms, may go to the following websites: www.cscope.us/ or www.cscope.us/aboutus.html.