MDE Curriculum Alignment 4

Question 1

A Minnesota teacher notices that a benchmark in the state math standards uses the phrase 'apply and explain.' Which Bloom's Taxonomy level does this most closely indicate?

Accepted Answer

Apply and Analyze

Answer

'Apply and explain' signals that students must both use a concept and articulate their reasoning, corresponding to Apply and Analyze levels.

Question 2

Which scenario best exemplifies a curriculum alignment problem known as 'curriculum gaps'?

Accepted Answer

A standard is listed in the district curriculum map but never taught due to time constraints

Answer

A curriculum gap occurs when a standard appears in planning documents but is never actually delivered in instruction.

Question 3

MDE expects districts to align the 'written, taught, and tested' curriculum. Which of the following best represents the 'taught curriculum'?

Accepted Answer

The actual instruction and learning experiences delivered in classrooms

Answer

The taught curriculum refers to what teachers actually deliver in classrooms, which may differ from written plans or tested content.

Question 4

A Minnesota high school adopts a new AP Chemistry course. How should the curriculum coordinator approach alignment with state standards?

Accepted Answer

Map AP course content to Minnesota Chemistry standards to identify overlaps and gaps

Answer

Even rigorous courses like AP must be mapped to Minnesota standards to ensure district-wide alignment obligations are met.

Question 5

When MDE conducts a monitoring review of a district's curriculum, which evidence is most directly examined for alignment?

Accepted Answer

Curriculum maps, scope-and-sequence documents, and student achievement data

Answer

MDE monitoring focuses on curriculum documentation and achievement data to verify that instruction is aligned to state standards.

(MDE) Minnesota Department of Education Practice Test

(MDE) Minnesota Department of Education Practice Test

MDE Curriculum Alignment 4