ABSTRACT
This chapter explores ways to implement effective curricula. As teachers, we are responsible for using standards, benchmarks, and expected outcomes for the children we teach. When we are implementing developmentally appropriate practice, we seek rich content. A question that needs to be asked is: How do teacher know that they are successfully implementing the curriculum? Meeting outcome requirements? Facilitating child development? The answers lie in the fact that curriculum effectiveness, teaching effectiveness, and learning progress in children require assessment. Assessment is a process used to determine the degree to which an individual child possesses a particular attribute. For children exhibiting challenging behaviors, the specialized method applied after routine intervention has been employed is usually functional behavior assessment. Curriculum planning must be a thoughtful practice that is grounded in knowledge of child development as well as an understanding of the particular children within the class.
