A superintendent of curriculum is in charge of instructional material and professional development programs for their school district. They are also responsible for curriculum review, development and implementation programs.
Basic Job Description
A superintendent of curriculum will evaluate the quality of curriculum teaching in classrooms. They will review and analyze district assessment and performance data. Superintendents of curriculum may work with elementary, secondary and high school curriculum coordinators to centralize and standardize district curriculum and instructional efforts. They will also coach new teachers from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 classes. They will assist in the development of district-wide workshops and conferences that support the implementation and achievement of curriculum objectives and professional development goals.
Superintendents of curriculum must continually read and share new curriculum, instruction and professional development research. They may plan and conduct improvement initiatives for district instructional programs. Superintendents of curriculum may help school principals with the organization and presentation of new hire training content to teachers. They may even create and evaluate pilot improvement programs for classroom instruction and student achievement.
Alternative Job Description
Superintendents of curriculum may focus on after school and extracurricular program development. For example, they may coordinate curriculum delivery for the summer school programs with district administrators, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They may personally take charge of the recruitment, screening, hiring and evaluation of all licensed teaching staff. They may provide human resource management oversight for all school staff and teachers in the area of professional development.
Superintendents of curriculum may review and recommend new textbooks and instructional materials. In order to accomplish this, they must cooperate with the district administrative team and ensure the completion of appropriate federal and state documents. Every year, they must submit a report that rigorously evaluates the quality and success of educational programs. They may assist in the development and implementation of district-wide professional library or resource centers for teachers.
Job Qualifications
Superintendents of curriculum must be able to cultivate and manage multiple interpersonal relationships with administrators, teachers and educational professionals. They may collaborate with technology, gifted program, special education and English as a Second Language administrators. Superintendents of curriculum must also grow positive and professional relationships with district patrons and parents. They must be comfortable holding public meetings, dealing with contested decisions and persuading others to accept curriculum changes.
In order to qualify for this job, the individual must have an educational specialist at the graduate level. Some states or school districts will require superintendents of curriculum to have a valid state superintendent certificate or license. Superintendents of curriculum must possess sufficient reading and analytical skills to interpret educational and scientific journals and articles. They must be able to interpret financial documents, governmental guidance, Department of Education regulations and various legal documents. Superintendents of curriculum must have the ability to define problems, collect data, verify facts, interview experts, deal with abstract concepts and make valid conclusions.
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A superintendent of curriculum will usually have at least five years of experience in teacher training, curriculum development and school administration solutions. They may qualify for a job with bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, but most employers will expect them to have the standard Master of Education with a concentration in curriculum and instruction.
