So what does guaranteed and viable curriculum mean? Let’s break each term down in greater detail.

Guaranteed

• Teachers have a shared understanding of the essential intended learning outcomes for students. The team has made a guarantee that they are on the same page when it comes to a shared understanding of the essential learning outcomes.

• The curriculum is actually taught by teachers. We are making a guarantee to our stakeholders that there is a tight alignment with the Standards of Learning and that students are being taught the written curriculum.  

• All students have access to learning the essential intended learning outcomes. Schools are responsible for making a guarantee that students are exposed to the essential learning outcomes.

Viable

• Teachers believe the written curriculum is structured in such a manner that it can be considered a viable tool that is used to support the instructional planning process. 

• The intended curriculum (e.g., written curriculum) is taught in such a way that it is conducive to learning. 

• The curriculum incorporates high-yield instructional strategies. As noted in the HCS Instructional Framework, the CIA Department has identified 6 instructional priorities that speak to lessons that are aligned, purposeful, incorporate higher-order thinking, focus on active learning, are vocabulary-rich, and use feedback to improve learning.