Curriculum audits can be used for any number of purposes: alignment with accreditation standards, vertical alignment across grade levels, and/or coverage and alignment with testing and assessments. You can access a visual of a generic ongoing curriculum audit process from chalk.com. 

Curriculum equity audits should be part of a system for change. The audits are tools for a systematic review of the data available. Many constituents representing different roles should be part of the process of developing the purpose for the audit, selecting or adapting the audit tools, examining the results, and developing and implementing an equity improvement plan.   

Child holding a colored pencil while at a desk with many craft supplies. Photo by Sigmund on Unsplash

For examining curriculum, it is often recognized as two part: the explicit curriculum and the hidden or implicit curriculum.  The explicit curriculum are the readings, textbooks, syllabi, and assessments. The hidden curriculum are the values and norms that underlie the classroom culture through the teacher choice of instructional strategies, behavior expectations, and policies. 

The tools curated here all have diversity, equity, and inclusion as the focus of the curriculum audit. 

Hidden vs Explicit Curriculum

Explicit Curriculum: Syllabi, readings, and assignments.
Hidden Curriculum: Classroom culture, instructional strategies, values, and norms.

Developing Equity Mindset

To begin this journey the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education Center for Urban Education under the direction of Dr. Estela Mara Bensimon has developed a Syllabus Review Guide that can be used individually or better yet with a team or PLC. 

Audits for Equitable Schools and Classrooms

The federally funded Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium (MAEC) share their tool outlining criteria for equitable classrooms and equitable schools. Their three-part equity audit tool is set up for self-assessment through a series of questions about classrooms including: academic placement/tracking and grouping; student leadership and recognition; classroom environment; and instructional strategies. At the school level questions are asked about: school policy, school organization/administration; school climate/environment; staff; assessment/placement; professional learning; and standards and curriculum development. A third section looks at teacher behaviors that encourage student persistence through instructional interventions, curriculum interventions, classroom management interventions, and interpersonal interventions.    

Excel Template for Auditing Curriculum

With your team, identify key issues or priorities and review course syllabi or reading lists. Samples are included on tabs in the spreadsheet.

Curriculum Mapping Tool (Excel file) – originally published by the Eberly Center at Carnegie Mellon University. 

Consulting Services

Johns Hopkins School of Education Institute for Education Policy has developed the Knowledge Map for Social Studies – a fee-based tool for auditing curriculum for DEI.

Culturally Responsive Observation Tool

A tool for self or peer observation in classrooms for culturally responsive teaching practices.

Audit Tool for School Climate and Discipline

The federally funded Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium (MAEC) also has a checklist on school climate and discipline with questions around climate and prevention; clear, appropriate, and consistent expectations and consequences; and equity and continuous improvement.

Audit Tool for Teacher Behaviors

MAEC has also created a checklist specifically on Teacher Behaviors that Encourage Student Persistence that poses questions about instructional interventions, curriculum interventions, classroom management interventions, and interpersonal interventions.

Consulting Services

Johns Hopkins School of Education Institute for Education Policy has developed the School Culture 360 tool to create an environmental scan through teacher, student, administrative, and family surveys about DEI in school culture. This is a fee-based tool.