How School Curriculum Is Developed
The federal Department of Education doesn’t set curriculum standards that K-12 schools must teach. At the top level, school curriculum is developed by state and local government organizations, including school boards. They collaborate with school administrators and teachers, who are also influenced by parents and other outside forces.
Legally speaking, the state and school districts have the authority to create curriculum for K-12 schools. Elected officials, such as school board members, are understandably influenced by their constituents (e.g., parents), while teachers, administrators, and other interest groups work to exert their own control. It’s important to note that classroom standards, such as the Common Core standards that are used in 41 states and Next Generation Learning Standards that are used in New York, are different from the curriculum, which denotes how teachers implement lessons and use textbooks and materials.
Educators often have significant influence over curriculum, particularly those who have curriculum development jobs, such as education specialists, curriculum coordinators, and even principals.
How Public School Curriculum Is Developed
Although the specifics of curriculum development differ somewhat between states, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) is the governing body that sets the standards for K-12 schools in New York. Learning standards outline what a student should know and be able to do at the completion of each grade level. The curriculum helps students meet these standards and is set by individual school districts.
According to the NYSED, “Districts are encouraged to use an evidence-based curriculum that is designed to facilitate the acquisition of skills and knowledge that align with the standards, is developmentally appropriate, and differentiates instructional practices based on the age and needs of the children.” It is at this district level that individual educators can have the most impact on curriculum in New York as well as in most states.
How Private School Curriculum Is Developed
Standards governing private school curriculum differ widely from state to state. When it comes to who is responsible for curriculum development at private schools, the answer can get a bit murky. According to NPR, New York has had a law in place since 1894 “requiring all private schools to provide an education that’s substantially equivalent to that of public schools.”
However, the way in which schools interpret “substantially equivalent” and how the New York state Board of Regents has enforced this law has varied wildly. It wasn’t until 2022 that the Board of Regents voted to enact new regulations for private schools specifically requiring them to instruct students in English, hire teachers that are competent in the subjects they teach, and teach subjects like math and history at the appropriate levels.
The development and approval of private school curriculum is subject to much less government influence than that of public schools. Educators who want to influence education in the private sphere may want to consider working within the private school system to help guide the best path forward.
Curriculum Development Jobs
To maintain teacher certification in New York, teachers must complete a master’s degree program within the first five years of their initial certification. Earning a degree in curriculum and instruction is one way to satisfy that requirement while learning more about the pedagogy of curriculum development. Teachers may pursue a few specific jobs as a next step after working in the classroom. The career options include education specialist and curriculum coordinator.
Another path forward for educators who want to expand their reach is to become a principal. As the chief administrator of a school, principals have a great deal of influence over curriculum development at the individual school level. Principals may also collaborate with administrators at other schools to coordinate curriculum across an entire district.
