D858 is the graduate counterpart to D857 in Western Governors University's Earth science route.
Its program (a Master of Arts in science education for already licensed teachers) is built around developing skills in curriculum development and evaluation, and WGU's course description stresses evaluating and aligning curriculum resources with secondary standards and student needs.
Where the undergraduate course centers on building a unit, this one centers on judgment: is this textbook chapter, simulation or lab activity accurate, aligned and accessible, and what would you change? Graduate candidates are expected to draw on classroom experience when they justify those decisions.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | Western Governors University (WGU) |
| Course code | D858 (the undergraduate version is D857) |
| Level | Graduate, for licensed teachers |
| Subject area | Earth science curriculum evaluation |
| Focus | Evaluating and adapting resources for standards and diverse learners |
| Assessment | Set by WGU on your course page; check it before you plan |
What D858 Covers
| Theme | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Earth processes and materials | The core science behind a secondary Earth science course |
| Earth, Sun and Moon; stars and planets | Space science relationships and life cycles |
| Hydrosphere and atmosphere | Dynamics and interactions |
| Resource evaluation and alignment | Checking materials against standards |
| Adapting for learners | Adjusting materials to different needs and learning styles |
Key Concepts Explained
Criteria-Based Evaluation
Decide your criteria before you look at the resource: content accuracy, alignment to named standards, cognitive demand, accessibility, and time and cost. Then score the resource against each, with evidence.
Example: A video on plate tectonics is accurate and engaging (strong on accuracy), but has no captions and assumes fluent English (weak on accessibility). Recommendation: keep the video, add captions or a transcript, and pair it with a labeled map task.
Alignment, Not Coverage
Alignment means the resource asks students to do what the standard says. A resource that mentions a topic is not aligned if the task only asks for recall when the standard expects explanation or modeling.
Example: A standard expects students to develop a model of Earth-Sun-Moon interactions. A worksheet that asks them to label a diagram covers the topic but not the model-building expectation. Suggested adaptation: have students build and revise a physical model.
Designing for Variety
Adapting a resource means changing access without lowering the goal: alternative formats, vocabulary supports, tiered questions and choice in how to show learning.
Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them
WGU's guidebook does not list task prompts, so this table describes kinds of work the description points to. Follow your own instructions.
| Work type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Resource evaluation | Judgment against criteria | State criteria, score with evidence, recommend changes |
| Standards alignment table | Precision | Match each activity to a specific standard element |
| Adaptation plan | Differentiation | Describe changes and what stays the same |
| Reflection | Use of experience | Link your classroom practice to decisions |
A Study Approach That Works
- Refresh the content. Be able to spot an inaccurate statement about Earth science quickly.
- Study the standards. Break each into the verbs it uses (model, explain, analyze).
- Build a reusable rubric. Six criteria you can apply to any resource.
- Practice adaptation. For one lesson, write three supports for different learner needs.
Where Students Get Stuck
- Accuracy only. The course expects both standards alignment and accessibility for varied learners.
- Generic praise or criticism. Point to specific parts of the resource.
- Weak adaptations. Changes should keep the learning goal intact.
- Underusing experience. As a licensed teacher, explain what you have seen work.
Planning Table
| Stage | Goal | Evidence to keep |
|---|---|---|
| Read the task | Identify the resource and standards | Checklist |
| Set criteria | Write the evaluation rubric | Criteria list |
| Evaluate | Score with evidence | Annotated notes |
| Adapt | Propose changes | Adaptation table |
| Justify | Link to practice | Short rationale |
Self-Check Questions
Use these questions to test a resource evaluation before you finalize it.
- Which named standard does each part of the resource address, and at what level of demand?
- Is every scientific statement in the resource accurate?
- What would a student with limited English or reading support need to access it?
- What would I change, and what would I keep so the learning goal stays intact?
- What from my own teaching supports each judgment?
Study Tips for D858
- Quote or point to specific parts of the resource.
- Name the standard by its code or wording.
- Keep recommendations practical for a real classroom.
- Show what would stay the same after adaptation.
- Bring in one example from your own teaching.
How We Help with D858
Send the task instructions, the resource, the standards and any evaluator feedback. A tutor can explain criteria-based evaluation with fresh examples, review your alignment reasoning, edit your draft for clarity, or prepare a model evaluation of a different resource for you to study.
GradeEssays is independent of Western Governors University. Our work is a study and reference aid: use it to understand the method, then complete and submit your own work under WGU's academic integrity policy.
Orders are written from scratch, include free revisions within the scope of your original request, and are refunded in full if late. We cannot promise that any assessment will be passed.
Sharpen Your D858 Evaluation
Share the task, your criteria and feedback. We prepare a model resource evaluation for you to study and adapt in your own words.
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Frequently Asked Questions
D857 is the undergraduate course focused on building a curriculum unit. D858 is the graduate course for licensed teachers, with extra emphasis on evaluating and aligning resources.
WGU's Master of Arts science education programs are described as for already licensed teachers. Check your program page.
Alignment to standards, cognitive demand, accessibility and practicality, as the description stresses learner needs.
Give short, concrete examples of what you tried and what happened, linked to your decisions.
No. We provide tutoring, model examples and editing. You complete and submit your own work.
On your D858 course page and with your instructor. WGU sets the assessment.