RI Diploma System: Exhibition Toolkit Step 2 Action 1

Schools should review the program of studies and course syllabi to ensure that the content knowledge, grade span expectations, and applied learning skills necessary for the successful completion of an Exhibition or Graduation portfolio are being addressed in multiple courses, over multiple years, to provide students with sufficient opportunities to learn and be assessed on their growth.

Things to Consider

This curriculum mapping should not be limited to high schools. Elementary and middle schools should also provide multiple opportunities for students to build toward the knowledge and skills that will eventually be required for graduation from a Rhode Island high school.

Tools

Curriculum Mapping Mini-Clinic

This PowerPoint slide show contains information from a mini-mapping clinic presented by the Center for Assessment during one of RIDE's technical assistance workshops. This may be a useful tool to lead off a professional development session on curriculum mapping. It should be used in conjunction with the Nippentucket Bay High School case study that is included in this section.

Nippentucket Bay High School Case Study

This case study was developed to present one possible approach to implementing the Rhode Island Diploma System. The Nippentucket Bay High School case study has been used in several RIDE technical assistance sessions and is referred to in the mini-mapping activity in the Center for Assessment's slide show. The relevant section for mapping is found at the end of the case study. The case study may also be used in a text-based discussion with faculty as they think about some of the steps needed to implement a diploma system in their own district/school.

GSE ELA Mapping Tool

This tool is useful in aligning ELA courses with the ELA GSEs; it includes a sample matrix that is filled in with hypothetical courses. A blank matrix is also provided for you to fill in your own ELA courses and map the appropriate GSEs (listed to the left) to each course. This exercise will help you see gaps in your ELA curriculum and know whether students have more than one opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills delineated by the GSE. Remember that you have to review course-taking patterns after you do the alignment to ensure that all students have the opportunities to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to graduate.

GSE Mathematics Mapping Tool

This tool is useful in aligning your math courses with the math GSEs. A blank matrix is also provided for you to fill in your own math courses and map the appropriate GSEs (listed to the left) to each course. This exercise will provide you with evidence of gaps in your math curriculum and help you identify whether students have more than one opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills indicated by the GSEs. Remember that you have to review course-taking patterns after you do the alignment to ensure that all students have opportunities to learn the knowledge and skills necessary to graduate.

Aligning High School Learner Outcomes with the Rhode Island Applied Learning Proficiencies

This document was developed by the Rhode Island Skills Commission. It serves as a guide for districts seeking to align their school learner expectations/outcomes with applied learning proficiencies.