An Educational Leader's Guide to Curriculum Mapping: Creating and Sustaining Collaborative Cultures

Curriculum mapping initiatives are started with the essential goal of improving student achievement, yet the mapping process can be challenging to navigate or lead. While the main work of curriculum mapping is conducted by classroom teachers, administrators must be actively involved, and they must also take into account the demands curriculum mapping places on teachers.

This book provides administrators with the foundational understandings and specific guidance and strategies to effectively support a curriculum mapping initiative in their schools and districts. The authors discuss administrative leadership for curriculum mapping, including the roles and responsibilities of various administrative positions, such as the superintendent, principal, and curriculum director, and provide protocols and procedures for writing administrative maps.

A Leader's Guide to Curriculum Mapping offers concrete information and suggestions for moving a curriculum mapping initiative forward in a positive manner and ultimately ensuring that curriculum mapping is not only sustained, but is embedded in the cultural consciousness and becomes the natural way of conducting professional curriculum work throughout a learning organization. The book: Includes brief but necessary coverage of theory and foundational conceptsFocuses on administrative leadership with curriculum design in mind and administrative support for systemic changeProvides administrators with guidance, protocols, and step-by-step directions for the stages of a curriculum mapping initiativeOffers practical applications, realistic expectations, and real-life examplesAddresses significant concerns such as time and resources necessary for sustainability

In this guide, Hale, a former teacher and current educational consultant and trainer who specializes in curriculum mapping, and Dunlap, a principal and former teacher, show K-12 school and district-level leaders how to develop, implement, and maintain an effective curriculum mapping initiative that results in long-term improvements in student achievement. They explain how to create a culture and structure to align curriculum, meet standards, and work collaboratively; write professional development and professional roles administrative maps; and understand the roles of district leaders, curriculum directors, principals, and teacher leaders. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Developed for district leaders, curriculum directors, principals, and teacher leaders, this book shows how to lead a collaborative and sustainable curriculum mapping initiative.