Curriculum Analysis: Accuracy Analysis

The Accuracy Analysis component includes guiding questions, a chart for organizing comments, and a score sheet for rating the accuracy of curriculum content. It should be completed by persons who can assess the accuracy of the health, medical, and scientific information in the curriculum. For example, the analysis team might include health experts, health curriculum specialists, or university researchers who could review the curriculum to ensure that the information is scientifically sound, medically accurate, and current.

Some questions to consider when analyzing accuracy include:

• Does the curriculum use accurate and appropriate terminology?
• Are data, information, and sources of information current?
• Are data medically accurate?
• Are data represented accurately in charts, graphs, and written text?
• Are statements of fact based on data and sound science rather than anecdotal information or subjective opinion?
• Is information about data sources provided so that the accuracy of data can be verified, and facts can be substantiated?
• Are facts and information based on appropriate data? For example, are national trends supported with national data rather than state or local data? Are youth trends supported with youth data rather than adult data?
• Do statements of fact or conclusion accurately represent the data? Is the information distorted or exaggerated?
• Are sources of data clear and credible? Are they from a reputable public health or professional source?

Directions:

1. In column A, list the page(s) in the curriculum where faulty information appears.
2. In column B, briefly describe the errors.
3. In column C, indicate how difficult or easy it would be to correct the errors by checking the appropriate checkbox.
   • For example: Inaccurate information in a teacher's guide might be easy to replace with a district-developed teacher supplement. Inaccurate information in a printed textbook might be more difficult to correct, because the developer would have to revise and republish the book.
4. In column D, briefly describe what needs to be done to correct the problem.
5. In column E, indicate if the corrections would require substantial costs in time or money to complete by checking the appropriate checkbox.

An unlimited number of rows can be added to the table by pressing the ADD ROW button. The CLOSE button can be used to return to the previous screen without saving entered information. Care must be taken to ensure the SAVE button is selected to avoid losing entered or changed information. The PRINT button will open, in a new window, a printable version of the page with the entered data.

Complete the accuracy analysis score based on information from the accuracy analysis chart, by clicking the ACCURACY ANALYSIS: PART 2 - REVIEWERS AND SCORE button. On this page the user enters information about the reviewers and, using the information from the Accuracy Analysis table, adds a score for the curriculum based on the overall acceptability. This score will transfer to the Accuracy Analysis Line of the Overall Summary Form. Remember: A score of "0" indicates that the curriculum should be eliminated from further consideration and no further analysis should take place. The PRINT button will open, in a new window, a printable version of the page, with the entered data.