Curriculum/Course Alignment

Students learn best when the instruction they receive and the assessments used align with state standards. To ensure student achievement, it is critical that the curriculum, instruction, and assessment align.

The Washington State Learning Standards provide the foundation of the defined curriculum of the school district. Curriculum documents may take a variety of forms: a district curriculum guide or scope and sequence, a course syllabus, or a unit or lesson plan.

Instruction refers to the implementation of the defined curriculum—the teacher’s methods and use of instructional resources.

Assessment takes many forms, including diagnostic, classroom-based formative and summative assessments that measure student proficiency of the defined curriculum.

To begin aligning your curriculum and courses:

1. Choose the alignment tool you need.
2. Select a grade and subject area.
3. Download the form.
4. Look closely to determine where curriculum/courses match the standards.

Alignment Tools = Basic Alignment = Alignment with Evidence of Learning = Instructional Materials Alignment = Professional Development Alignment