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Making sure every class gets the same curriculum

A guaranteed curriculum is taught consistently from one classroom, and one school, to the next. Teachers can vary activities, but the core content, standards and methods stay the same.

Do this now

Step 1: Check that all teachers of a subject and grade teach the same core content, aimed at the same standards.
Step 2: Check that they use the same core teaching strategies and assessment methods.
Step 3: Leave room for teachers to choose their own learning activities and resources.
Step 4: Review lesson plans and observe classes regularly.
Step 5: Give teachers descriptive feedback and helpful guidance on how they teach the curriculum.
Step 6: Use a ready-made checklist to record what you see, and share it with the teacher in a debrief. See Reviewing a lesson plan or observing a class.

More detail

For example, a student in any Grade 3 language arts class in a school should get the same curriculum as students in the other Grade 3 classes.

A curriculum also needs to be viable: teachers must be able to teach all of it in the time they have. See There isn’t enough time to teach the curriculum.

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The law and policy behind this

Both practice guides"Ensuring a guaranteed and viable curriculum" in both guides · draft of 27 May 2026

Not yet checked by a Ministry editor