CPS Curriculum Development & Design 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A specialist wants to evaluate whether a newly implemented reading curriculum is effective. Which type of evaluation assesses effectiveness DURING implementation to allow mid-course corrections?
- Summative evaluation
- Formative evaluation (Correct answer)
- Norm-referenced evaluation
- Criterion-referenced evaluation
Correct answer: Formative evaluation
Formative evaluation occurs during implementation and provides ongoing feedback to improve the curriculum while it is still in progress.
Question 2: Which curriculum design approach organizes content around broad, overarching themes that cut across subject areas?
- Subject-centered design
- Learner-centered design
- Integrated/interdisciplinary design (Correct answer)
- Core curriculum design
Correct answer: Integrated/interdisciplinary design
Integrated or interdisciplinary curriculum design connects content from multiple subjects around unifying themes or problems.
Question 3: In Universal Design for Learning (UDL), the principle of 'Multiple Means of Representation' primarily addresses which learner variability?
- Strategic networks (the 'how' of learning)
- Affective networks (the 'why' of learning)
- Recognition networks (the 'what' of learning) (Correct answer)
- Executive function networks
Correct answer: Recognition networks (the 'what' of learning)
Multiple Means of Representation targets recognition networks, addressing how students perceive and comprehend information.
Question 4: A CPS is tasked with identifying 'hidden curriculum' in a school. What does this term refer to?
- Curriculum taught in pull-out special education settings
- Implicit norms, values, and behaviors students learn through the school environment (Correct answer)
- Standardized test preparation materials not in the official curriculum guide
- Remedial content provided to struggling learners
Correct answer: Implicit norms, values, and behaviors students learn through the school environment
Hidden curriculum refers to the unstated lessons about social norms, behavioral expectations, and values absorbed through the school culture.
Question 5: Which assessment approach is embedded within instruction and used to continuously monitor student progress toward curriculum objectives?
- Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM) (Correct answer)
- Standardized norm-referenced testing
- Portfolio assessment
- Performance-based assessment
Correct answer: Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM)
Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM) uses brief, standardized probes from the curriculum to frequently monitor student progress.
Question 6: When designing curriculum for English Language Learners (ELLs), which framework addresses both language development and content learning simultaneously?
- Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) (Correct answer)
- Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
- Response to Intervention (RTI)
- Differentiated Instruction (DI)
Correct answer: Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP)
SIOP provides a framework that integrates academic language instruction with content-area learning for ELL students.
Question 7: A district adopts a 'standards-based curriculum.' What is the defining characteristic of this approach?
- Curriculum is organized by publisher textbook chapters
- All instructional decisions are driven by clearly defined learning standards (Correct answer)
- Teachers have complete autonomy to design their own units
- Curriculum emphasizes student interests over academic content
Correct answer: All instructional decisions are driven by clearly defined learning standards
Standards-based curriculum aligns all instruction, assessment, and materials directly to specific, measurable learning standards.
CPS Curriculum Development & Design 3
A specialist wants to evaluate whether a newly implemented reading curriculum is effective.
Which type of evaluation assesses effectiveness DURING implementation to allow mid-course corrections?