A standards-aligned curriculum ensures that teachers teach the most important content based on learning standards and eliminate gaps. When the curriculum is not standards-based, test scores drop as students are not taught what is assessed, teachers lack guides to help all students learn, materials may not be appropriate for all, and students are unprepared for further education. A standards-based curriculum provides guidelines for effective planning, consistent assessments, and supports for all students.

1. Standards-based Curriculum
Curriculum refers to the instruction and
academic content taught in a school or in a
specific course or program referring to the
knowledge and skills students are expected to
learn, which is determined by the learning
standards they are expected to meet. Standards
aligned curriculum would then be the specific
learning standards, lessons, assignments, and
materials used to organize, teach, and assess a
particular course.

2. Standards-based Curriculum
Contributing Factors to the Performance Gap
When the curriculum is not based on the
standards:
• FSA and EOC test scores will drop because the
students are not receiving instruction on what
is being assessed
• teachers will not have the rubrics and learning
guides needed to help all students learn
• educational materials may be appropriate for
some students but not for all students
• students will not be prepared for post
secondary settings

3. Standards-based Curriculum
A standards-based curriculum offers schools
the opportunity to improve curriculum quality
by making sure teachers teach the most
important content and eliminate learning gaps
that may exist between sequential course and
grade levels. When the curriculum is not
aligned through the grades student academic
proficiency can decrease with the strongest
impact noted by the secondary grades.

4. Standards-based Curriculum
In a Standards-based Curriculum:
• There are guidelines to support effective
communication and planning between staff who make
decisions on curriculum, curriculum design, pacing
schedules, and educational materials purchasing for all
students.
• Schools have consistent assessments, performance
measures, checklists, scales, and rubrics that clearly
illustrate grade level mastery.
• Universal Design for Learning, Personalization, and
Academic Choice guides are included in the curriculum
documents.

5. Standards-based Curriculum
Resources
• The Standards-based Teaching/Learning Cycle -
https://www.cde.state.co.us/fedprograms/dl/ti_a-
ti_sstmembers_standardsbased
– A guide to standards-based education practices at the
district, school, and classroom level.
• 7th Grade Standards-based Lesson with Access
Points-
http://www.tlc-mtss.com/assets/7th-grade-
standards-ap.pdf
– An example curriculum document that provides
teachers guidance on instruction and formative
assessment for all students.

6. Standards-based Curriculum
Data Sources – Tools you can use to focus on the
curriculum.
• Curriculum Self-Assessment Tool -
http://www.tlc-mtss.com/assets/curriculum-self-
assessment-tool.pdf
– A self assessment tool on district wide documents
that support grade level mastery guides, academic
expectations, and educational materials purchasing.
• Florida’s PK-20 Education Information Portal –
https://edstats.fldoe.org/SASPortal/main.do
– District and school report cards, graduation data,
and performance gaps.

7. Standards-based Curriculum
Hypothesis - The problem is occurring
because:
–the instruction students are receiving is not
aligned to the standards
–the instruction students are receiving is not
addressing the rigor of the standards
–the instructional materials are not appropriate
for some of the students
–teachers do not have guides on how to provide
instruction for all students