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Curriculum

Kindergarten student writing

Teaching and Learning is central to everything we do. Our curriculum and instructional practices aim to prepare students for success in an ever-changing global society. We will move every student forward from where they start, including high-achieving and struggling students. The SPS Response to the 2021-2022 Curriculum Audit includes a 3-year plan for district-wide PreK-12 curriculum, instructional support, and assessments. Stamford Public Schools is optimistic that the results of the curriculum audit will lead to the following:

  • Curriculum that is both vertically and horizontally aligned across our district;
  • Curriculum that is aligned and focused on standards;
  • Equitable access and opportunities for all of our students;
  • Culturally responsive and representative materials and instructional practices;
  • A review of content areas that have not had a curriculum review in years;
  • Human and financial resources utilized with the commitment to implement recommendations; and
  • Alignment of curriculum, assessment, and instruction.

SPS 2022-2025 Curriculum Development Plan

Stark 2019

 

In accordance with the T & L 3- year plan that was established in the spring of 2023, we have created curricula that meet “Gold Star” standards. 

Gold Star Curriculum

Written curriculum, as the most critical tool to support high quality teaching and learning, not only defines high levels of student learning, but also supports teachers with suggestions on how to deliver differentiated, student-centered instruction that is responsive to students’ needs, backgrounds, and perspectives. 

A strong curriculum assists teachers in meeting the needs of their students more effectively by prioritizing and defining essential learning targets in measurable terms and providing the formative assessment tools needed to diagnose and monitor student learning.  Strong written curriculum also promotes equity by clarifying for teachers what on-level learning looks like.

  • Aligned to CT core standards

  • Provides strategies for delivery that includes suggestions for differentiation (enrichment and scaffolded support)

  • Relevant to and respectful of our students’ backgrounds

  • Defines learning targets (essential questions)

  • Contains formative assessment tools

  • Provides consistency vertically and horizontally within and across our schools

This work was accomplished through our teacher-led curriculum teachers that began their work last spring and continued through the summer. As of December 2023, the following content areas met “Gold Star” Standards:

Secondary

  • English/Language Arts - grades 6-12
  • Mathematics - grades 6-8 and Integrated Math I
  • Science - grades 6-8 and High School biology and chemistry
  • Social Studies - grades 6-8, High School World History I & II, Civics I & II and US History I & II (see attached course example: Civics 1)

Elementary

  • Kindergarten - all Literacy Units (see attached CKLA Unit #4 - “Plants”) 

All of the curriculum is posted on our curriculum dashboards.

Please use the following form to submit feedback or questions regarding SPS curriculum:  SPS Curriculum Dashboard Feedback and Question Form