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Scenario Response 8

Scenario Response 8

Scenario Response 8
by omayda Valdez -
Number of replies: 0

If I were tasked with turning key training for my school on adopting and adapting curriculum, I would focus on practical guidelines that apply across all content areas, while keeping equity and inclusivity at the forefront. Adopting curriculum isn’t just about meeting standards; it is also about ensuring materials are accessible, culturally responsive, and adaptable for the diverse learners we serve.

Most important guidelines I would emphasize:

  1. Standards Alignment – Every adopted or adapted resource must directly support state standards and lesson objectives.

  2. Cultural Relevance – Materials should reflect diverse voices, avoid stereotypes, and connect to students’ lived experiences. Using the Text and Non-Text Selection Criteria as a rubric helps staff evaluate this consistently.

  3. Language Accessibility – Teachers should consider where students fall along the second language acquisition continuum. Materials should include scaffolds like visuals, leveled texts, bilingual glossaries, and sentence frames.

  4. Differentiation and Universal Design – Resources should provide multiple entry points, extension opportunities, and support for students with varied needs.

  5. Bias Awareness – Curriculum must be examined for implicit or explicit bias, ensuring representation and fairness.

  6. Adaptability – Teachers should learn to modify existing materials for ELLs or struggling readers, not just adopt them “as is.”

Sample Turnkey Training Syllabus
I would model the training after the structure in our course syllabus, but streamline it for schoolwide PD:

  • Session 1: Foundations of Adoption and Adaptation

  • Session 2: Cultural Relevance in Practice

    • Case studies of biased vs. inclusive materials.

    • Staff practice applying a cultural bias checklist.

  • Session 3: Scaffolding and Differentiation

    • Adapting one lesson for each stage of the ELL continuum.

    • Examples of tiered tasks, graphic organizers, and sentence frames.

  • Session 4: Applying It to Our School Context

    • Teachers bring a text or resource they use.

    • Small-group work to adapt and align using the criteria sheet.

    • Share-outs and reflection.

  • Session 5: Building a Sustainable Process

    • Forming a school review committee.

    • Creating a shared repository of vetted/adapted resources.

    • Next steps for ongoing review and updates.

 the goal would be for staff to walk away not only understanding the adoption process, but also feeling confident in how to adapt materials so they are usable for all students.