Clarion Ledger
October 19, 2007


Web page to help keep teachers' plans on right track
By Rebecca Helmes
rhelmes@jackson.gannett.com

An Internet tool bought by the state is expected to ensure teachers' instruction matches the state curriculum.

The Web page, called the Mississippi Curriculum Framer, allows teachers to see lessons and samples of activities they can use to teach. The state paid $1.6 million for the Web site's development.

Even though the Mississippi Curriculum Framer will be available to all public school educators beginning today, Kris Kaase, state associate superintendent for academic education, said the state Department of Education is rolling out the tool slowly to allow educators time to be trained on how to use it.

"For some teachers, it will be a different way of approaching instruction," Kaase said. Administrators can decide how it most effectively can be used in their own districts.

Grant Wiggins, president of Authentic Education, the Hopewell, N.J.-based organization that designed the resource, said the idea is to make sure the lessons teachers use actually correspond to what the state says students are supposed to learn.

"Many teachers have never been trained and (are) expected to really think through what the state competencies and objectives demand," Wiggins said. Instead of teachers teaching from textbooks, Wiggins said they'll be encouraged to think more along the lines of, "This is the standard, what do I have to do with my kids?" or "The lesson isn't working, what do I have to do?"

Teachers don't have to use the lessons provided, and Wiggins said the resource is not meant to be a state curriculum script. Districts can even add their own lessons.

"It is a deliberate attempt to say what is exemplary instruction, exemplary assessment, exemplary learning activities ...," Wiggins said.

State Education Superintendent Hank Bounds said it is a tool that will help principals understand how to lead their teachers in instruction.

Board member Sondra Parker Caillavet is also a math teacher in Biloxi. She said the changes with what students are expected to know this year for statewide standardized tests have frustrated many teachers who have been trying to locate resources to help them prepare students. She said this tool will give many teachers the resources they need to help their students understand subject matter.

"In my time in education, I have not seen anything like this," Caillavet said. "This is just the greatest thing I've ever seen."