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Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Superintendent's Blog
Bedford Public Schools
Curriculum Review Cycle


Generally speaking, one constant in any school district is the ongoing review of curriculum.  This is an important process, and one that we’ve spent a great deal of time examining during the past year.   Last fall, the curriculum leaders within the Bedford Public Schools, collaborated on The Bedford Public Schools Curriculum Review Cycle.  This was an important endeavor, to discuss what the purpose of curriculum review would be, which areas of curriculum would be reviewed, when this process would occur, and who would be involved. 


We created a thoughtful guide on exactly how the curriculum review process will occur in Bedford.  This review cycle process is part of the system’s commitment to thoughtful, continual improvement in the schools.  The review cycle is aligned with the system’s District Improvement Plan and the School Improvement Plans created by each school.  All curriculum development must align with, and be informed by the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks as well as College Board, ACT, and Advanced Placement course content expectations.


Most importantly the review cycle is designed to meet the following needs:

  • A process to support both curriculum changes and instructional improvement.

  • A process which is manageable for elementary teachers who are impacted by changes in many instructional areas.

  • A method for equitable distribution of funding for materials, staff, curriculum work, and professional development.


The need for a curriculum review cycle is clear, as outlined above.  Exactly which areas of the curriculum are examined during a review are listed below:

  • Mathematics

  • Science, Technology and Engineering

  • Visual and Performing Arts

  • Social Studies

  • English, Language Arts, English Language Learning, and Reading

  • Physical Education, Health, and Family and Consumer Sciences

  • World Language


The actual implementation of the curriculum review process is overseen by a Program Administrator, a Program Director, or at the K-5 level a Curriculum Coordinator, who is responsible for managing the review cycle within their content area.  Each curriculum content area has a Curriculum Steering Committee whose membership includes representatives of each school building. Membership includes both teachers and administrators.  The Program Administrator, Program Director, and/or Curriculum Coordinators (or teacher), serve as co-chairs of each steering committee.


The curriculum review cycle generally encompasses a four year span of time. Within the four year span specific steps are taken by the steering committee, in reviewing curriculum, instruction and assessment. This process involves four phases, Introduction, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation.  During each phase there are several steps that the committee must undertake to complete the review cycle.


Here in Bedford, we’ve outlined which department will enter the curriculum review process by participating in Phase I.  This  year, as we begin this cycle, we will begin with mathematics.  The mathematics steering committee will be co-chaired by our two math leaders in the district, Anne Pumphrey, K-5 mathematics curriculum coordinator, and Patrick Morrisey, 6-12 mathematics program administrator.  


It's very exciting to begin this important process in Bedford. Learning about best practices and innovative curriculum, assessment, and instructional practices as educators, is vital to creating the best learning environment for all our students.


Tricia Clifford, Ed. D.

Assistant Superintendent