Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Curriculum Scope and Sequence: Instruction, Technology, Assessment, Planning (Online)

EDUC 5160-492

Course: EDUC 5160-492
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: TED
CRN: 33661

Course Description

The focus of this course includes: Planning instruction and assessment in content-specific teams and in cross-curricular teams. Designing, administering, and reviewing educational assessments in a meaningful and ethical manner; formative and summative assessments results to inform and modify instruction; assessing students for competency for the purpose of personalized learning. Integrating technology to support and meaningfully supplement the learning of students, including the effective use of software for personalized learning. Knowledge of the Utah Educator Professional Standards (UETS); knowledge and skills in collaborating with parents and guardians; skills in providing tier one and tier two instruction and intervention on the Utah Core Standards and positive behavior supports to each student within a multi-tiered system of supports. 

Required Texts

There is no textbook to purchase for this course. Course materials (readings, websites, videos, etc.) will be provided in the course in Canvas. 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Analyze state and national standards to inform curriculum and instruction.
  2. Design formative and summative assessments aligned to learning goals.
  3. Develop rubrics and performance tasks that support student learning.
  4. Interpret assessment data to inform instructional decision-making.
  5. Create lesson plans incorporating ongoing assessment strategies.

Course Requirements

To successfully complete EDUC 5160, students are expected to actively participate in weekly discussions and activities, complete all assigned readings, and submit high-quality assignments that demonstrate understanding of curriculum design and assessment practices. Key requirements include:

  • Weekly readings and reflections
  • Standards mapping and curriculum alignment tasks
  • Development of formative and summative assessments
  • Creation of rubrics and lesson plans
  • Analysis of assessment data
  • Final Integrated Unit Plan Portfolio
Consistent engagement, thoughtful collaboration, and timely submission of assignments are essential for success in this course.

Course Outline

Module 1: Introductions; Curriculum & Assessment; Standards-Based Assessment
Topics:
  • Course orientation and expectations
  • Purpose and role of curriculum and assessment in instruction
  • Understanding standards-based education
Activities:
  • Self-introductions and teaching background
  • Reading & discussion: Principles of backward design
  • Reflection journal: How do you currently assess student learning?
Assignment:
  • Curriculum & Assessment Philosophy Statement

Module 2: Interpreting & Mapping Standards
Topics:
  • Dissecting state content standards
  • Vertical and horizontal alignment
  • Curriculum mapping and pacing
Activities:
  • Standards unpacking workshop
  • Curriculum mapping practice with grade-level standards
Assignment:
  • Standards Mapping Project

Module 3: Writing Questions & Rubrics
Topics:
  • Designing quality questions (DOK levels, Bloom’s Taxonomy)
  • Creating clear and measurable rubrics
Activities:
  • Rubric analysis and critique
  • Question-writing practice in subject area
Assignment:
  • Create a rubric and 3 assessment questions aligned to one standard

Module 4: Developing a Summative Assessment
Topics:
  • Types of summative assessments
  • Alignment with learning objectives and standards
  • Validity, reliability, and fairness
Activities:
  • Peer review of assessment drafts
  • Revising based on feedback
Assignment:
  • Design and submit a full summative assessment with instructions and rubric

Module 5: Ongoing Assessments for Lessons
Topics:
  • Formative assessment strategies (exit tickets, quick checks, discussions)
  • Embedding assessment into instruction
Activities:
  • Lesson analysis: Identifying embedded assessment opportunities
  • Design mini-assessments for an existing lesson
Assignment:
  • Submit 3 formative assessments with brief explanations of use

Module 6: Consecutive Lesson Plans, Ongoing Assessments, and Rubrics
Topics:
  • Unit planning
  • Aligning lesson objectives, assessments, and rubrics
  • Differentiation and scaffolding
Activities:
  • Peer planning sessions
  • Rubric refinement
Assignment:
  • Submit 3-day consecutive lesson plan with embedded assessments and rubrics

Module 7: Analyzing Assessment Data
Topics:
  • Using data to inform instruction
  • Types of data (formative, summative, standardized)
  • Data reflection and instructional adjustment
Activities:
  • Data analysis simulation with sample student data
  • Group discussion: Adjusting instruction based on data
Assignment:
  • Data Analysis Report: Analyze student work or provided dataset and write instructional implications

Final Course Project (Due in Module 7)
Integrated Unit Plan Portfolio
Includes mapped standards, assessment designs (formative & summative), rubrics, and a data-use reflection based on simulated or real student work.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late work will be accepted up until the last day of the semester without penalty unless otherwise noted for specific assignments. No late work will be accepted after the final day of the semester. It is the student's responsibility to communicate with the instructor and ensure that all work is submitted by this deadline.

Attendance Policy

It is the student’s responsibility to attend class, stay engaged with course materials, and complete all assignments and assessments throughout the semester. Regular participation is essential for success in this course. Students are expected to manage their time effectively, seek clarification when needed, and stay informed about deadlines and course expectations.

Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.