Overview

NAF IS PLEASED TO PRESENT AN UPDATED AND REVISED CURRICULUM.

The new NAF curriculum features courses with detailed and comprehensive lesson plans, teacher resources, and student resources. The course selection was decided through surveys and focus groups of the NAF network,, industry, and higher education. It is based on national standards, such as the State Career Clusters. The courses are industry vetted and piloted by the NAF Curriculum Fellows, who have actively contributed to the content. The NAF curriculum, combined with rest of the NAF Academy model of active Advisory Boards and paid internships, leads students to develop five valuable characteristics:

-         College Ready

-         Career Oriented

-         Effective Communicator

-         Problem Solver

-         Engaged Learner

The course offerings available to each academy are generally flexible to meet local conditions. However, there are certain assumptions underlying the curriculum. One assumption is that every course sequence begins with a "principles" course, which serves as a foundation for further study.

The curriculum is highly project-based and student-centered. There are few lectures and a high degree of literacy integration. Teachers receive extensive guidance on teaching techniques to improve student reading comprehension, writing, vocabulary, and oral presentations through an on-line Teacher Resource Guide available to members who log in. 

The courses share key elements:

-         At least two projects per course.

-        Including one culminating project.

-         Inquiry-based instructional practices that promote rigor & relevance.

-         Evidence of student learning written, oral, visual, or technological form.

-         Teacher Resource Guide and student readings

-         Partnership for 21st Century Skills that encourage teamwork and communication.

-         Internship preparation,with direct links to NAF's Internship Toolkit.

-         Linkages to Advisory Board members instead, how about saying "bridging Advisory Bd members and their local academies"

-         Career and higher education focused units.

-         Ideas for curriculum integration.

-         Extension activities.

-         Assessment tools.