Learn more about what curriculum coordinators do in their day-to-day jobs by conducting an informational interview with them. Ask your school's career services office for help with setting up interviews. Prepare beforehand a list of questions covering topics such as how they got started in their career, what they like most about the work, and what advice they have for people interested in this field.

Participating in professional associations will give you access to publications, industry events, and education programs. For example, the ASCD offers webinars and online learning, conferences, and other resources for curriculum coordinators and other education professionals. Visit its Web site for more information, http://www.ascd.org.

Curriculum coordinators work in public and private schools, nonprofit organizations such as community centers and early childhood education centers, and also for the government. They may specialize in specific grade levels or specific subjects, or may work in specialized fields such as gifted and talented education, special education, or English language education. No matter their specialization, curriculum coordinators aim to elevate students' academic achievement by improving curricula. They assess educational materials and strategies and make revisions when needed, working in accordance with state and local standards and regulations. They review academic performance in schools and school districts to determine the areas where students' understanding of materials needs to be improved.

A job description on Resilient Educator listed the following duties as intrinsic to curriculum development in K-12 schools: analyze student test data, assess and discuss curriculum, research the trends in instructional methods and educational technology, and review and recommend textbooks, videos, and other educational materials. They develop tests, questionnaires, and procedures. They also make sure that the curriculum is in accordance with local, state, and federal guidelines.

Curriculum coordinators also sit in teachers' classrooms and observe and evaluate teachers' performance. They provide feedback and recommendations based on their observations and on the data from students' performance. They develop procedures that teachers use in implementing the curriculum, and they train the teaching and instructional staff in new content or technology. Curriculum coordinators also make recommendations for educational materials, technologies, and teaching techniques to school principals and school boards. Curriculum coordinators may also coach and mentor teachers to help them improve their skills.