Teaching and Learning The Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL) is responsible for ensuring that the district’s academic vision is realized in every classroom across Newton Public Schools. Through curriculum design, instructional support, professional learning, and systems of academic intervention, this department connects the district’s strategic priorities and the Portrait of a Learner to daily classroom practice. At its core, the work of the Office of Teaching and Learning ensures that every classroom has access to high-quality curriculum aligned to Massachusetts standards, specialized instructional support for diverse learners, and professional learning that strengthens teaching practice across the district. The department’s work spans five interconnected areas: ● Development and implementation of high-quality curriculum aligned to state standards ● Support for multilingual learners and students receiving specialized services ● Continuous curriculum review and improvement cycles ● Professional learning for teachers and instructional leaders ● Integration of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) to ensure students receive timely academic intervention and enrichment Together, these efforts help ensure that Newton classrooms remain rigorous, inclusive, and responsive to the evolving needs of students. Curriculum Development and Review A central responsibility of the Office of Teaching and Learning is managing the district’s curriculum review cycle. Newton uses a structured five-year review process to examine instructional programs, analyze student data, and ensure curriculum reflects current research and best practice. Curriculum review committees composed of teachers from across the district conduct extensive self-studies of existing programs, pilot potential instructional materials, and develop recommendations for improvements. These processes ensure that instructional decisions are grounded in classroom experience and teacher expertise. In the current cycle, educators have been engaged in significant review work in: ● Mathematics ● Physical Education, Health, and Wellness Teacher teams have spent nearly two years studying curriculum needs, piloting materials, and evaluating how programs support student learning. These efforts are expected to culminate in formal recommendations to the School Committee regarding curriculum adoption in these areas. At the same time, several additional content areas have recently completed the self-study phase
of the curriculum review cycle, including: ● Grades 6–12 English Language Arts ● PK–12 Social Studies ● Engineering, Computer Science, and Digital Literacy
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