Curriculum Framework: Vision | Principles | foreward | Documents

A Vision for the Twenty-First Century: New Haven Public Schools

The national goals for education depend upon a well-defined vision for the adults of tomorrow. What skills and knowledge should the graduates of the New Haven Public Schools possess in order to prepare for the twenty-first century? The answers to this question will guide the efforts of public education in the coming decades. If students are to succeed in a world of increased diversity, technological change and global economic interdependence, the standards for this education must be meaningful, effective and lasting. Whatever the subject area, certain principles apply:

1. The adults of the future should be sensitive to cultural diversity and ready to live and work together with understanding and respect.
2. In an era of rapid technological change, they should understand and appreciate the role technology plays in society and be able to integrate it effectively into future jobs and careers.
3. Since they will be life-long learners, they must have the technical, analytical, organizational and interpersonal skills necessary to adapt to rapid change. In other words, they must learn how to prepare for jobs that do not yet exist.
4. In order to participate fully as informed, responsible citizens in a democratic society, they must be able to make decisions about issues confronting themselves and their society in an increasingly complex world.

A curriculum framework is a supportive structure designed to guide the development of curricula, courses of study, units, lessons, and assessment instruments. It is a set of expectations for all students which has flexibility so that each school can employ a wide range of teaching strategies encompassing courses of study, teaching practices and materials selection. The framework contains specific skills and competencies, attitudes and attributes, as well as understandings and applications. It should not be misconstrued as a set of isolated skills and understandings, but rather an integrated and interdependent set of learning outcomes.

The framework has common elements essential to the development of all curriculum. These were defined by New Haven's administrative leaders for curriculum and by teams of teachers representing the full range of disciplines across grade levels and schools. These elements are also found in the national standards developed by curriculum committees across the country. They represent basic principles for outstanding teaching and learning.

The New Haven Curriculum Framework establishes a set of expectations for all students and is based on National Standards in the subject area, the Connecticut State Department of Education Curriculum Framework, standards documents from other states -- such as The Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools -- and Connecticut’s Common Core of Learning. It provides a statement of high standards for all New Haven students and serves as a guide around which more comprehensive curriculum can be developed. Its content and performance standards apply to the full spectrum of students, including those with special needs, those identified as gifted, and those who speak another language. By state law the education plans for students in Special Education must address the district’s regular curriculum. The strategies used, modalities served and kinds of assessments make the curriculum appropriate for these students as well. Different extensions of the curriculum can challenge gifted students, and the same curriculum content can be taught to students from other language backgrounds, along with English classes suited to their needs.

As the district explores various models for the site-based management of schools, this document provides a consistent means for demanding high performance. This framework is also flexible and can, through local discussion and adaptation, become a catalyst for school improvement. It encourages individual schools or programs to further develop curriculum which will meet their local needs, while demanding high standards for all students.

Curriculum Framework: Vision | Principles | foreward | Documents