Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

• Provide a research/standards-based curriculum aligned with CPAS and/or certification
• Ensure program improvement through accountability
• Provide excellent service for our customers (teachers, administrators, MDE)

The Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (CIA) section directs its activities toward four major functions. First, the staff is responsible for the development or acquisition of a broad range of curriculum materials and media for use in Mississippi secondary schools, community/junior colleges, and vocational centers. State curriculum frameworks are developed and revised to provide the most current curricula possible to local schools. These curricula incorporate academic, industry, and 21st Century Skills standards and are aligned with national industry certifications. High quality teaching strategies and assessments are provided at the secondary level. A goal of the CIA staff is to gain input from all teachers, administrators, and industry representatives prior to and during the writing process through the use of technology.

The second major function of the CIA staff is to develop vocational assessments that determine student mastery of technical skills in each program area. The Mississippi Career Planning and Assessment System (MS-CPAS) measures technical skills and is used for one of the accountability measures for vocational programs. The technical skills assessments are administered to vocational completers at the secondary and postsecondary levels and are used to ensure the quality of educational programs and to maximize student achievement. Resources are also developed to assist teachers in instructional improvement for every student. A second measure for accountability is academic attainment which includes the Subject Area Testing Program (SATP): Algebra I, Biology I, English II, and U. S. History from 1877, which are required for graduation from Mississippi secondary schools. At the postsecondary level, assessments that are required at the individual community college for admission and placement are used for academic attainment. These assessments have been correlated with tests of adult basic education which may include any of the following: ACT, COMPASS, AccuPlacer, ASSET, and TABE.

The third function of the CIA staff is to collect, to analyze, to report, and to disseminate usable information regarding student progress to vocational and technical program directors. Research will be conducted to address pertinent needs in all areas of the RCU. Grant funds will be sought to implement projects that will address the greatest needs in both the educational arena and the workforce so that Mississippians will continue to excel.

Finally, the CIA staff delivers effective professional development for vocational and technical education personnel, both preservice and inservice. Special emphasis is placed on pedagogy and the integration of academics, technical skill standards, soft skills, and technology into training. Professional development activities are developed as a result of a thorough needs assessment of all participants. Professional development specialists work with Program Coordinators at the Mississippi Department of Education to provide high quality, standards- and research-based training using regional sites and a variety of venues including face-to-face, on-line, and on-site coaching.

Goals

• To coordinate the compilation, development, purchase, dissemination, and diffusion of secondary and postsecondary curriculum frameworks, instructional materials, and media for Mississippi vocational and technical programs

• To plan, facilitate, deliver, and report on special projects in support of vocational and technical education

• To develop a statewide vocational assessment system for program improvement

• To collect, analyze, report, and disseminate information related to issues concerning vocational and technical education programs

• To establish and maintain a comprehensive system of effective communications among vocational and education personnel

• To assess needs for professional development among vocational and technical education personnel

• To deliver professional development activities of high quality to meet the needs of education personnel

• To integrate technology into curriculum and workplace for greater productivity.