Designing an Understanding by Design–Based Curriculum

November 4–6, 2009  |  Las Vegas, Nev.

The 2007 book Schooling by Design: Mission, Action, and Achievement proposes that a robust, understanding-based curriculum includes 10 key components. In this session, we will examine the theory behind these components and view practical examples.

In exploring the topic, we will consider the following questions:

• To what extent do we have a coherent curriculum from the learners’ perspective?
• How does "backward design" apply to macro-level curriculum development?
• Why should content standards and accountability test scores be considered a means to an end (not the end in themselves)?
• How might we support responsive teaching through our curriculum?
• How can we promote greater consistency in assessment and grading? 
• How might we maintain high standards without standardization?
• What should anchor the curriculum?
• Why do we need troubleshooting guides as part of our curriculum? 

Institute Staff: Jay McTighe, ASCD Author and Educational Consultant, Columbia, Md., and Allison Zmuda, Educational Consultant, Woodbury, Conn. Registration Fee: $449 (ASCD members), $513 (Nonmembers) Materials Fee: $60 for Understanding by Design, 2nd Edition, and Schooling by Design: Mission, Action, and Achievement PDI Code: PD10GB004