A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

APPLICATION NO    :    R215G30014 APPLICANT         :    Wisconsin Department of  		       Public Instruction                        125 South Webster Street                        P.O. Box 7841                        Madison, Wisconsin  53707-7841 CONTACT PERSON 	  :    Judy Peppard TELEPHONE     	  :    (608) 267-9289 AWARD TO DATE     :    $678,644 PROJECT PERIOD    :    07/01/93-06/30/96 

The Connecting the Curriculum Project (CTC) aims at bridging the gap between national standards in the five priority disciplines (English, history, geography, civics, and the arts) and local school instruction by ensuring that all children will study challenging content within connected multidisciplinary K-12 curriculums. The three year plan of operation for the CTC Project involves an Advisory Council, a Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Steering Team, and three regional task forces. The task forces and DPI steering team are developing curriculum framework models, teacher preparation guidelines, and pilot programs for professional development. In addition, the task forces provide leadership and support to teachers participating in the project. CTC briefing papers address project objectives and related issues, and guide the work of the CTC Project.

WI public and private school staff participate in the CTC project through Teacher Action Research or the CTC Network. In the Teacher Action Research approach a team of two or more educators develops an inquiry plan that includes at least one or more of the CTC disciplines in a connected curricular framework. The second level of participation is through the CTC Network. Educators in the Network are involved in some form of curriculum integration work that includes at least one of the priority disciplines. The activities of the K- 12 teachers inform the work of the task force in developing connected curricular frameworks around challenging content, teacher education and licensing guidelines, and staff development models. In addition to written curriculum publications, professional resource materials will be available using CD ROM technology, video, computer diskettes, computer networks, and the SERC course, "Making Connections".

As a result of the project, it is anticipated that students will have opportunities to experience school and learning as connected rather than as a fragmented collection of subjects and skills; set high goals, and feel proud of accomplishments, routinely assess themselves, and improve their educational achievement.

[Building Bridges: History...]

[Challenging Content Standards...]