School Improvement - Louisiana Department of Education

4. Curriculum Alignment
Curriculum alignment has been defined as the “congruence of the content, context, and
cognitive demands present in the written, taught, and tested curriculum” (English & Steffy,
2001). Addressing curriculum alignment includes: 1) the scope of the content covered, 2) the
level of sophistication and complexity of the content, 3) the sequence of the content to be
presented, and 4) the richness of the content (Reeves, 2003; English & Steffy, 2001). Research
indicates an aligned curriculum increases student achievement, engagement, attendance, and
graduation rates. In addition, curriculum alignment allows teachers to focus on lessons and
meaningful content (Allen, 2002; Reeves, 2003).
5. Meaningful, Engaged Learning (MEL)
Current research indicates that students learn when they are highly involved in meaningful
tasks. Student motivation is one aspect of MEL; however, motivation is more than a quality
within students. In fact, motivation is greatly affected by the attitudes and actions of the
educators themselves. Recognizing this and the changing needs of the 21 st century, researchers
have determined that reform of instruction and strategies are necessary. Three models that
have been recognized as leaders in MEL are:
1. North Central Educational Laboratory (NCREL) which includes eight specific
indicators of engaged learning: 1) Vision of Engaged Learning, 2) Tasks for Engaged
Learning, 3) Assessment of Engaged Learning, 4) Instructional Models and Strategies
for Engaged Learning, 5) Learning Context for Engaged Learning, 6) Grouping for
Engaged Learning, 7) Teacher Roles for Engaged Learning, and 8) Student Roles for
Engaged Learning (http://www.ncrel.org) ;
2. Schlechty Center for Leadership in School Reform, which is based on theories of
change and of engagement; and
3. Mike Muir of the Maine Center for Meaningful Engaged Learning (McMEL), which
has identified four key components of MEL – Relationship and Rapport, Experience,
Motivation, and Meaning.