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Introduction

These fourteen modules were developed to demonstrate alignment of standards, assessments, and instruction.

Please read the introduction below and the critical elements of alignment which define the purpose, role, and structures of these modules before proceeding to the module menu.

The development of these modules was preceded by CSSAP Phase I, which began with the development of major themes in civics, economics, geography, and history. These themes and the national standards in civics, economics, geography, and history were integral in the development of these modules. The use of the CSSAP themes made it possible to link these modules with Phase I assessments and portfolios. The content, resources, essential questions, and the summative assessments are aligned with national standards in civics, economics, geography, and history. This process should assist states in the alignment of these modules to their state standards.

Each module begins with a national standard that identifies a concept, topic or theme. A summative assessment is then designed to give evidence of understanding the concepts, topics or themes in that standard. Next, essential questions are listed that are integral to the standard for that module. These essential questions link to resources for content, integrated skills, instructional strategies, and formative assessments that are aligned within activities. Beginning with the standard, the summative assessment, and the essential questions should result in content, skills, instructional strategies, and formative assessments that are aligned to the standard.

Through this process of alignment, the goal of these modules is to demonstrate:

  • alignment as a key element in instruction and assessment
  • summative assessments that give evidence of understanding through application
  • formative assessments that check for knowledge and understanding and align with the summative assessment
  • content, concepts, themes, and topics presented through different media
  • student-learning taking place through a variety of instructional strategies and discipline based best practices.
Updated September 27, 2017 8:28pm