3. Q: How was the curriculum developed?
3. A: The curriculum was developed using the conceptual framework offered by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe in “Understanding by Design” that encourages educators to "unpack" standards by focusing in the Big Ideas they represent and developing the Essential Questions students need to explore during the lesson or unit. This ensures units are focused on the expectations and what students should be able to know and do. Before the UbD framework could be utilized, decisions needed to be made regarding some of the challenges brought about by the new content expectations. For example, what should be done with the Michigan History Expectations in fourth grade? What should be done with the first three eras of World History being placed in both 6th and 7th grade? How can 96 Civic expectations be taught in a one semester high school course? Once these decisions were reached, unit development began. Educators well versed in the Understanding by Design conceptual framework were screened and identified by the developing partners as potential unit writers. These writers were provided direction on how to proceed for each course. Every unit went through three levels of editing to increase content and instructional quality and decrease errors during the rapid development phase. The academic partners are involved in the editing process and have vetted the units of study for accuracy, clarity, and rigor necessary for students’ success in post-secondary education.