Curriculum has been described as the "what and why" of
teaching. It describes what it is that we teach nd why
it is we teach it. A quality curriculum can provide the
basis for a road map which teachers, learners, and programs
can use to guide learning. Central SABES provides staff
development & technical assistance to programs and
teachers in the area of curriculum development using the
Massachusetts ABE Curriculum Frameworks (http://www.doe.mass.edu/acls/frameworks/)
The Curriculum Frameworks are a group of documents created
to help adult education practitioners and programs design,
implement, and assess instruction. Frameworks are not ready-made
curricula but rather, the Frameworks provide programs with
a set of learning standards on which and around adult educators
can base curriculum.
Curriculum does not stand alone. It is integrally tied
to the goals of the learner as well as to the method by
which the learning will be assessed. Central SABES provides
support to teachers and programs in the use of various
types of assessments including performance based assessment
and standardized assessments. Central SABES is providing
training in the assessment tools which DOE has mandated
be used for measuring educational gain: The T.A.B.E. Test
(Test of Adult Basic Education), the R.E.E.P. (Arlington
Education and Employment Program) Assessment, a writing
rubric developed over a 6 year period by teachers with
help from psychometricians, and the B.E.S.T. (Basic English
Skills Test).
In addition to trainings, we provide support in the form
of technical assistance (via sharing groups, one on one
assistance, and electronic listservs) to programs and individual
practitioners in the areas of curriculum development, using
the Curriculum Frameworks, and Assessment.
For help in any of these areas, you can contact Cathy
Coleman by phone at 508-854-2725 or by e-mail at CathyC@qcc.mass.edu.
