Week 3 Activity – Needs Assessment and Topic Selection

Overview

The activities and assignments in this course build on one another and use the same scenario, in which you are a curriculum designer for a K-12 school district. The scenario is detailed in Week 1’s Assignment Preparation. Please refer to that as needed.

In this activity, select and justify the topic you will use as the basis for your problem-based curriculum design proposal. Selecting a topic requires that you conduct a needs analysis. You need to analyze trends and problems in a school district to understand why the district would need a problem-centered curriculum proposal as a solution.

Preparation

To complete your needs assessment and topic selection, use the following resources:

• Use the needs analysis resources from this week’s readings.
• Talk to a colleague or to leadership in your school district. They may help you identify local needs and social issues.
• Use EdWeek to look for current articles (within the last year) that discuss topics or trends in education.
• Use the Strayer Library to research recent articles within the last five years.

These resources can also help you prepare for the Annotated Bibliography activity in Week 4.

Here are some examples of common problem-centered topics:

• Mental health.
• Alcohol and drugs.
• Diversity and inclusiveness.
• Climate change and sustainability.
• Global awareness.
• Cultural diversity.
• Identity issues related to gender.
• Health.
• Microaggression and bullying.

You will use the Needs Assessment and Topic Selection Template, linked below, to complete the activity. Download the template file and save as “Lastname_Firstname_EDU555_Week3_Assignment.”

Requirements

In the Needs Assessment and Topic Selection Template [DOCX]:

1. Describe the topic you will use to develop a problem-based curriculum.
2. Describe the school district for which you are developing the curriculum.
3. Identify two current (within the last year) articles from your EdWeek research that support your topic selection as a good fit for your problem-based curriculum.
   • Explain your reasons for choosing each article.
4. Identify five recent (within the last five years) library articles that can be used to support your topic selection.
   • Explain your reasons for choosing each article.
5. Describe the individuals directly affected by your topic problem.
6. Describe barriers that could delay the implementation of this curriculum.

When you are finished, submit the completed template document.

This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards (SWS). The library is your home for SWS assistance, including citations and formatting. Please refer to the Library site for all support. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.View Rubric

Week 3 Activity – Needs Assessment and Topic Selection
Criteria	Ratings	Pts
Describe the topic you will use to develop a problem-based curriculum.	20 to >18 ptsExemplaryDescribed the topic you will use to develop a problem-based curriculum.18 to >16 ptsCompetentDescribed the topic you will use to develop a problem-based curriculum, but the description lacked detail or specificity.16 to >14 ptsNeeds ImprovementIdentified but did not describe the topic you will use to develop a problem-based curriculum.14 to >0 ptsUnacceptableDid not describe the topic you will use to develop a problem-based curriculum.	/ 20 pts
Describe the school district for which you are developing the curriculum.	15 to >13.5 ptsExemplaryDescribed the school district for which you are developing the curriculum.13.5 to >12 ptsCompetentDescribed the school district for which you are developing the curriculum, but the description lacked detail or specificity.12 to >10.5 ptsNeeds ImprovementIdentified but did not describe the school district for which you are developing the curriculum.10.5 to >0 ptsUnacceptableDid not describe the school district for which you are developing the curriculum.	/ 15 pts
Identify two current (within the last year) articles from your EdWeek research that support your topic selection as a good fit for your problem-based curriculum.	10 to >9 ptsExemplaryIdentified two current (within the last year) articles from your EdWeek research that support your topic selection as a good fit for your problem-based curriculum.9 to >8 ptsCompetentIdentified two current (within the last year) articles from your EdWeek research, but it was unclear how they support your topic selection as a good fit for your problem-based curriculum.8 to >7 ptsNeeds ImprovementIdentified two articles from your EdWeek research, but the articles were not current (within the last year) or they did not support your topic selection as a good fit for your problem-based curriculum.7 to >0 ptsUnacceptableDid not identify two current (within the last year) articles from your EdWeek research that support your topic selection as a good fit for your problem-based curriculum.	/ 10 pts
Identify five recent (within the last five years) library articles that can be used to support for topic selection.	10 to >9 ptsExemplaryIdentified five recent (within the last five years) library articles that can be used to support for topic selection.9 to >8 ptsCompetentIdentified five library articles that can be used to support for topic selection, but not all were recent (within the last five years).8 to >7 ptsNeeds ImprovementIdentify fewer than five library articles that can be used to support for topic selection, and not all the articles were recent (within the last five years).7 to >0 ptsUnacceptableDid not identify any recent (within the last five years) library articles that can be used to support for topic selection.	/ 10 pts
Describe the individuals directly affected by your topic problem.	20 to >18 ptsExemplaryDescribed the individuals directly affected by your topic problem.18 to >16 ptsCompetentDescribed the individuals directly affected by your topic problem, but the descriptions lacked detail or specificity.16 to >14 ptsNeeds ImprovementIdentified but did not describe the individuals directly affected by your topic problem.14 to >0 ptsUnacceptableDid not describe the individuals directly affected by your topic problem.	/ 20 pts
Describe barriers that could delay the implementation of this curriculum.	15 to >13.5 ptsExemplaryDescribed possible barriers that could delay the implementation of this curriculum.13.5 to >12 ptsCompetentDescribed possible barriers that could delay the implementation of this curriculum, but the descriptions lacked detail or specificity.12 to >10.5 ptsNeeds ImprovementIdentified but did not describe possible barriers that could delay the implementation of this curriculum.10.5 to >0 ptsUnacceptableDid not identify possible barriers that could delay the implementation of this curriculum.	/ 15 pts
Write with clarity, following mechanics and formatting requirements.	10 to >9 ptsExemplaryWrote with clarity, following mechanics and formatting requirements, with 0-2 errors.9 to >8 ptsCompetentWrote with clarity, but mechanics and formatting had 3-4 errors.8 to >7 ptsNeeds ImprovementWriting lacked clarity, or mechanics and formatting had five or more errors.7 to >0 ptsUnacceptableDid not write with clarity and did not follow mechanics and formatting requirements.	/ 10 pts
Total Points: 0

Solution

These are the criteria on which you will be assessed. Please also review the scoring guide to make sure you understand how work will be graded.

1. Describe the topic you will use to develop a problem-based curriculum.

The topic for this problem-based curriculum is diversity and inclusiveness in a high school setting. It aims to help students understand the importance of creating an inclusive school environment that respects differences in race, culture, and background. The curriculum will address bias, discrimination, and strategies for fostering a more supportive and inclusive school community.

2. Describe the school district for which you are developing the curriculum.

…Please click on the Icon below to purchase the full answer at only $5

$5.00 – Purchase Checkout Added to cart