Curriculum Management Audit of Columbus Public Schools Ohio's Greatest Home Newspaper Phi Delta Kappa curriculum management audit of Columbus Public Schools Go back to the Phi Delta Kappa Findings index. Assessment Lack of Alignment Between and To Curriculum Impedes Success of Teaching and Learning. Alignment of the assessment used to the curriculum being delivered and how it is delivered is extremely important if improvement in student learning is to be accurately measured.
Topological alignment is surface alignment, matching topic and sequence from test to teaching.
Topological alignment requires no change on the part of teachers except shifting content emphasis and sequencing. Deep alignment is matching test context with classroom context and deriving methods to establish the match. Deep alignment requires an analysis of test questions along with development of vocabulary, processes, and concepts that are used in the testing process. The delivery of instruction must require student in-class practice in the application of the test format. The establishment of deep alignment requires that teachers construct a parallel or aligned experience for students to practice that includes the same or parallel factors of the test.