Foundations of Advanced Independent Curriculum™ for Academic Leaders: From Principles to Practice

Course Dates Announced Soon
DESCRIPTION
This course is designed for academic leaders who are considering embarking on advanced curricular revision to a more mission-aligned program. When schools develop rigorous curricula that is deeply responsive to the mission and values of the community, students thrive. Participants will explore the process of curriculum revision. They will take a deep dive into the principles of independent curriculum and evaluate the fit of the principles with their communities’ values. The course will share best practices in the various elements of implementing independent curriculum as well as a look at the characteristics that help foster readiness for the work of curriculum revision. 

In this course, Academic Leaders will: 
  • Explore the rationale for and benefits of an advanced independent curriculum.
  • Examine the philosophical underpinnings of independent curriculum development
  • Explore how schools at different stages in that journey have designed and launched independent courses.
  • Consider how independent curriculum might serve your school and students
COURSE FORMAT
Academic Leaders will be guided through a three-week online course, which will take about four hours to complete per unit. The weeks/units of this course are asynchronous, but class-paced. There is no fixed time for participation, but assignments are due each week. Throughout the course, participants will connect and collaborate with each other through interactive media, including short videos and discussion boards. Participants will have access to the course and materials for one additional week beyond the posted end date.
COURSE FACILITATORS
Peter Gow -- Peter Gow became Independent Curriculum Resource Director at One Schoolhouse after a forty-plus-year career as a teacher and administrator. Peter is a prolific writer and presenter and author of multiple books on independent schools and independent school teaching and leadership. Above all, he is passionate in his belief that connection and collaboration are essential if independent schools are to live up to the promises made in their statements of mission and values and fulfill their public purpose. 
Sarah Hanawald -- Sarah serves as One Schoolhouse’s Assistant Head of School for Professional Development and New Programs. She has been a classroom teacher, a technology director, and an academic dean at three North Carolina independent schools. Sarah’s work has focused on the intersection of technology, curriculum, and pedagogy in defining the future of education.
TUITION
​$445  for consortium schools; $595 for all other participants. Use the link above to register.

Q​uestions?
Peter Gow, Independent Curriculum Resource Director, reflects on how these principles and standards help educators design more mission-aligned courses.