***Currently Accepting Applications for Spring 2025!***
The Rennie Center is partnering with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to convene panels of Massachusetts educators to review evidence on the quality of curricular materials and their alignment to Massachusetts learning standards. This work will lead to a series of reports that provide guidance to schools and districts as they select high-quality core curricular materials. Instructional materials can be an important lever for racial equity. CURATE is committed to using this process to help districts make critical shifts towards culturally responsive curriculum materials.
How does CURATE work?
CURATE convenes over the course of one semester. Panelists receive 9 hours of professional development on assessing evidence of curriculum quality and alignment. After the initial training, panelists reconvene 4-6 times to collaboratively evaluate, calibrate, and rate curricular materials. By the end of the process, panel teams agree upon quality & alignment ratings for each curriculum. The work of the CURATE panels results in a series of brief, user-friendly reports to support Massachusetts educators in making more informed curriculum choices.
Panelists will receive a maximum stipend of $2000 depending on the number of curricular materials that the panel reviews (no more than 3).
Qualifications:
- A certified teacher currently teaching in a Massachusetts public or charter school
- Have served as a teacher of record for at least one class within the past two school years.
- Have at least 3 years of teaching experience as of the end of the most recent school year.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for roles unless they meet every qualification listed. The Department is committed to centering the voices of those who have been historically marginalized in public education and strongly encourages Black, indigenous, Latinx, Asian, other educators of color, and members of other historically marginalized groups to apply. We encourage anyone interested to apply. Preference will be given to Massachusetts teachers who consistently:
- Build deep, meaningful, culturally and linguistically sustaining relationships with students;
- Believe in empowering students through evidence-based instruction;
- Affirm students’ identities and work towards removing inequities; and
- Are committed to learning about and being advocates for the use of high-quality curricular materials
- You do NOT have to be an expert in curriculum development, alignment, and/or selection.
The deadline for Spring 2025 panel applications is December 2, 2024. Potential Spring 2025 panels include*:
- English/Language Arts (ELA), K-5
- Math, K-5
- Science and Technology/Engineering (STE), K-5
- English/Language Arts (ELA), 6-8
- Math 6-8
- Science and Technology/Engineering (STE), 6-8
*Panels will be confirmed in early December. We encourage educators with experience in any of these fields to apply. If you apply in a subject area that is not selected for review in Spring 2025, we will hold your application materials for a future CURATE panel.
Dates for the Spring 2025 CURATE semester are as follows:
| Jan. 13 | New Panelist Webinar | 4:30-5:30pm |
| Jan. 16 | Institute Day 1 (Virtual) | 5-8pm |
| Jan. 25 | Institute Day 2 (In-Person) | 9am-3pm |
| Feb. 10 | Virtual Panel 1 | 5-8pm |
| March 3 | Virtual Panel 2 | 5-8pm |
| March 17 | Virtual Panel 3 | 5-8pm |
| April 7 | Virtual Panel 4 | 5-8pm |
| April 28 | Virtual Panel 5 | 5-8pm |
| May 12 | Virtual Panel 6 | 5-8pm |
In addition to the synchronous times listed above, panelists are expected to complete approximately 22-26 hours of pre-work to prepare for training and panel sessions.
Application Process
Part 1 – Written Application
The written application asks you to complete general demographic information and short response questions.Part 2 – Interview
You will be notified if you have been invited to participate in a phone interview.Part 3 – Selection
You will be notified if you have been selected to join the Massachusetts CURATE Curriculum Fellowship. If accepted, you will commit to attending all in-person and virtual sessions.
By engaging in the CURATE process, teachers gain deep insight into the quality and alignment of a variety of curricular materials. This leadership opportunity allows Massachusetts teachers to expand their influence in their schools, districts, and across the state without leaving the classroom.
If you have any questions about CURATE or the application process, please contact Alejandra Zeiger at azeiger@renniecenter.org.