Curriculum Changes in the Newton Public Schools

At one time, it was sufficient to conduct a K-12 curriculum review in a discipline about once every eight years. Such a process typically examined K-12 vertical alignment and resulted in selection of new texts and a request for funding. In the current environment, such a process moves too slowly to accommodate quickly changing expectations for college and career readiness, the proliferation of research on how children learn, and the exploding influence of technology on education. We now need to adjust and adapt, or in some cases re-align, in response to changing expectations, new research, and new materials as they become available.

Coordinators and Department Heads determine the extent of the curriculum changes, involve teachers in developing unit designs, lesson plans and materials and providing professional development as appropriate.   Changes and updates are reflected in curriculum documents available on our webpage, and are formally reported to School Committee approximately every other year.