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Illinois School Board Journal
November-December, 1998

Curriculum maps chart journey
by Denise Faris

        Teachers in Park Forest-Chicago Heights School District 163 have developed curriculum maps to clearly chart students’ journey through eight years of elementary school and ensure increased academic achievement.
        "It was a massive undertaking, but the district now has curriculum maps for math and science in place. Social science is the next area we’ll map," said Beacon Hill Primary Center teacher Barbara Ruggles. "The maps are very specific. They detail for each grade level, on a monthly basis, the knowledge and skills that students should have mastered. While the maps increase teachers’ accountability to their students and their parents, they also support greater efficiency in the classroom."
        Under the leadership of Superintendent Elizabeth Reynolds, the maps were developed by teachers from all of the District’s schools during the last school year and during summer break. Input also was sought from high school faculty members to ensure that District 163’s eighth grade graduates were well prepared for the high school curriculum. University staff members, parents, and other community members also were part of the mapping process.
        Teachers from kindergarten through eighth grade outlined for each curricular area the content that must be covered, when it must be addressed during the school year, the major skills which must be mastered, and when those skills must be mastered. This data formed the basis of the curriculum maps which specify what is to be covered in the classroom August through June.

        "The math map, which was in place during the last school year, is based on the Illinois standards and on those set by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)," said Beacon Hill faculty member Gordon Kridner. "The map is sequential and developmental so that one month’s lesson is based on the previous month."
        Superintendent Reynolds said the curriculum maps were important elements in achieving the District’s first goal of increased academic success for all students.
        "The mapping process eliminated gaps and repetitions in the curriculum," said Reynolds. "The maps help our teachers because they show them what to teach and when to teach it. The district, furthermore, provides the faculty members with the proper training so they are skillful instructors. The maps provide the what, the professionals determine the how."
        Reynolds went on to say all district teachers have been trained in the mapping process. In turn, Dr. Reynolds and district staff members have visited neighboring south suburban districts to share the mapping process with their faculties.
        Art teacher Joyce Bricker, who has presented curriculum mapping training sessions in other districts with Superintendent Reynolds, noted, "Our goal is to maximize children’s learning and we are doing that with the mapping. The maps are tools to help us be more effective teachers. I think the possibilities for our students are endless."
        "The maps make it clear what students can expect to learn and be able to do when they leave our schools. Parents will be well aware, too, because the maps are posted in the schools," Reynolds said. "But, more importantly, the mapping was a collaborative process involving our teachers and administrators and valuable information was shared. Teachers in the primary buildings are aware of what is being taught at the intermediate and junior high levels. The teachers are no longer operating in isolation. For example, staff members from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade know what is involved in preparing middle school students for algebra."

        Reynolds went on to say, "The result of curriculum mapping is overall systemic change in the district. Due to the mapping, families can expect that achievement test scores will significantly improve; staff members will make better decisions regarding the purchase of instructional materials; instructional focus will be on achievement; and all students will be expected to meet the same high level of rigorous standards."
        The superintendent added that the maps will be evaluated throughout the year and staff members will note where they believe changes need to be made. She added that some teachers have already indicated that they can cover more material at their grade levels. As a result, achievement will be accelerated.