Audit Training

The following issues are addressed throughout the training:

• What is the role of policy, plans, governance, and administration in managing student learning?
• What is the importance of curriculum alignment and how do we achieve it?
• What minimum components are needed in a quality written curriculum?
• What is the most important purpose of curriculum?
• How does curriculum design impact student achievement, even for underperforming students? What are system-level processes and procedures that connect curriculum to classroom instruction?
• What is the proper role and purpose of assessment?
• How can we know if we have the “right” data and feedback?
• Why do we monitor instruction?
• What should we look for during classroom visits? What is most critical?
• How do we move forward in improving system functions to ensure higher student achievement?

These questions are presented in the context of the five audit standards for managing curriculum.  The training will give participants a new perspective on effective management practices within school systems, with specific criteria and guidelines for implementing them.  These principles, organized under the five audit standards of control, direction, equity and connectivity, feedback, and productivity, help educators create a structure within which all aspects of school districts can function systemically to improve teaching and learning in every classroom.

Participants learn to:

• Provide rationale for having policies related to quality curriculum management;
• Analyze policy using CMIM audit criteria;
• Define the principles of sound organizational management;
• Describe the roles and relationships within the structure of the system with an organizational chart;
• Identify the components of quality job descriptions and rate them using CMIM criteria;
• Learn quality approaches to planning and in developing plans; and
• Design interventions for effecting change in conjunction with professional development for all personnel in the system.

Supporting topics that participants will discuss include performance-driven budgeting to link fiscal priorities with curricular priorities, and evaluating interventions, facilities, and other support mechanisms in the system that serve to improve the delivery of curriculum.

Who Should Attend:

Superintendents, chief academic officers, curriculum specialists, content department directors and chairs, district and campus instructional leaders, and individuals interested in becoming certified curriculum management auditors.  Please note: Completion of Level 1 CMAT is recommended prior to attending Level 2. 

Candidates will work collaboratively with other participants through the processes of collecting and analyzing data, conducting interviews, triangulating evidence, and writing findings and recommendations.  Upon successful completion of this level, participants will be certified to serve as interns on at least one Curriculum Management Audit™ to further induct them into the process.

Procedural Steps:

1. Applicant must satisfactorily complete all training days and requirements of Levels I & II.
2. Applicant must complete and submit the following items to CMSi:
   1. Completed application form (Level III Application)
   2. Two current letters of recommendation
   3. An up-to-date copy of the applicant’s Curriculum Vitae
   4. A copy of an original article or other substantive written product written by the applicant in the last five years
   5. A $25 nonrefundable application processing fee
3. CMSi sends all applications to a reviewer appointed by the Board of Trustees, who reviews all materials and evaluates the application for adequacy and adherence to the guidelines.
4. If determined to be adequate to the reviewer, the applicant is eligible to take the qualifying examination (one essay and one objective)
5. Applicants will be notified of the date of the next qualifying exam. Eligible applicants will receive the exam by email at a set time (typically on a Friday) and will have 120 minutes to complete the examination and email it back to CMSi.
6. The examination responses must be emailed to CMSi as an attachment to enable electronic filing and reproduction of this document.
7. The reviewer reviews the exams within two weeks and sends feedback to CMSi.
8. Once CMSi receives notification of the results, successful applicants are notified that they may register for the Level III auditor licensure program. Information about the next available training program is also furnished.
9. Registration for Level III Audit Training is handled exclusively by the CMSi headquarters office in Iowa.

NOTE: Participants who wish to pursue licensure as a Curriculum Auditor must apply for admittance to Level III training.