How do you collaborate with curriculum developers?

1 Understand the role of curriculum developers

Curriculum developers are professionals who have expertise in specific subject areas, pedagogical approaches, and instructional design principles. They work with educational leaders and other stakeholders to analyze the needs, goals, and standards of the learners and the context, and to create or revise curriculum documents, such as syllabi, units, lessons, and rubrics. Curriculum developers also evaluate and update the curriculum based on feedback, data, and research. They may work as consultants, staff members, or committee members in different educational settings.

2 Establish clear expectations and guidelines

One of the key aspects of collaboration is to have a shared vision and understanding of the purpose, scope, and outcomes of the curriculum development project. As an educational leader, you should communicate clearly with the curriculum developers about your expectations and guidelines, such as the timeline, budget, format, and quality criteria of the deliverables. You should also clarify the roles and responsibilities of each party, the decision-making process, and the communication channels and frequency. Having a written agreement or contract can help to avoid confusion and conflict.

3 Provide relevant and timely feedback

Feedback is essential for improving and refining the curriculum development process and products. As an educational leader, you should provide constructive and timely feedback to the curriculum developers throughout the project, not just at the end. You should also encourage and solicit feedback from other stakeholders, such as teachers, students, and parents, and share it with the curriculum developers. Feedback should be specific, evidence-based, and aligned with the goals and standards of the curriculum. It should also acknowledge the strengths and areas of improvement of the curriculum developers' work.

4 Support professional development and learning

Curriculum development is a dynamic and ongoing process that requires continuous learning and improvement. As an educational leader, you should support the professional development and learning of the curriculum developers by providing them with opportunities and resources to enhance their knowledge and skills. For example, you can invite them to attend relevant workshops, webinars, conferences, or courses; share best practices, research, or examples of exemplary curriculum; or connect them with other experts or mentors in their field. You should also recognize and appreciate their contributions and achievements.

5 Foster a culture of collaboration and trust

Collaboration is not only a practical strategy, but also a value and a mindset that shapes the culture and climate of your educational organization. As an educational leader, you should foster a culture of collaboration and trust with the curriculum developers by building positive and respectful relationships, promoting open and honest communication, respecting diversity and differences, resolving conflicts constructively, and celebrating successes and challenges. You should also model and encourage collaborative behaviors and attitudes among your staff, students, and community.

6 Reflect and improve

The final step of collaboration is to reflect and improve on the process and outcomes of the curriculum development project. As an educational leader, you should facilitate a reflection and evaluation session with the curriculum developers and other stakeholders to review the strengths and weaknesses of the project, identify the lessons learned and the best practices, and suggest the areas and actions for improvement. You should also document and share the results and recommendations of the reflection and evaluation session, and follow up on the implementation and impact of the changes.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?