Consultant Conducts Document Analysis

In Step #3 the external consultant conducts an independent expert analysis of the physical education curriculum and related documents. The key words in the previous sentence are independent and expert. The consultant should act independently of the task force to provide a true external evaluation of the curriculum, and should judge the curriculum against professional standards and research literature.

The external consultant is responsible for reviewing all of the curriculum documents compiled by the responsible administrator and the curriculum review task force (see Step #2). These documents include, but are not limited to:

• The mission statements for the school district and the physical education program

• The physical education curriculum, to include program goals, program objectives, a content/time matrix, benchmarks, assessment procedures, resources and instructional supports, a description of the curriculum development process, and policies related to curriculum implementation
• Adapted physical education data, e.g., policies related to student eligibility for adapted physical education, inclusion, and individual educational plans
• District or school policies related to the physical education program

This curriculum evaluation process is designed to tap the specific expertise and perspectives of each person or group (namely the responsible administrator, task force, consultant, physical education staff, and stakeholders). Step #3 represents one of the consultant's most important contribution to this process, specifically an expert review of the curriculum. The Expert Curriculum Evaluation Survey addresses the following concerns.

• Is the mission statement appropriate?
• Is the content of the curriculum appropriate? Consider goals, program objectives, benchmarks, assessment procedures, resources and instructional supports.
• Is the sequence of objectives appropriate and are objectives taught at appropriate grade levels?
• Is the number of objectives appropriate given available instructional time and resources?
• Is the curriculum replicable?
• Is adequate attention given to the educational needs of special education students, at-risk students, etc.?
• Is the curriculum adequate with respect to use of technology and integration with other components of the school district curriculum?

Step #3 is culminated with a report written by the external consultant. This report should consist of the completed Expert Curriculum Evaluation Survey and a narrative which describes strengths, weaknesses, and recommendations relative to the physical education curriculum.

Evaluation of Physical Education Curricula            © Michigan State University           Revised 07/14/2003