Recommends curriculum clustering as a way of giving definition and meaning to secondary curricula lacking cohesiveness and academic depth. This approach involves the development of a cluster of courses outside of normal graduation requirements that form a general education core linking foundation courses and more advanced course work. Illustrates…

Highlights and criticizes changes in the traditional core curriculum during the 1960s and 1970s. Points to weaknesses in the current "return to basics" trend infiltrating core curricula. Calls for a clearer definition of undergraduate curriculum goals and the adoption of guidelines in order to eliminate the formlessness of the current system. (CAM)

In analyzing the role of general education in community college vocational programs, one must begin by defining general education as part of the overall community college mission. Broadly defined, general education involves the study of the basic liberal arts and sciences; stresses a breadth of understanding of human knowledge; strives to foster…

Discusses the Bradley Commission on History in School recommendations as part of the 1980s curriculum reform movement. Examines the problem of too many social science disciplines competing for space within the limited core curriculum. Analyzes several major reports published on social studies curriculum reform. Concludes with further questions…

The curriculum is the heart of the secondary school and its continuous revision is at once dependent upon the evolution of theories and the emerging needs of society. Curriculum theory may be regarded as a body of beliefs, assumptions, and knowledge derived through a process of critical analysis and substantiated by study and observation. Four…

After recognizing the problem areas in business education and the need for reexamination of goals and directions which would emphasize career education, the authors present a model to stimulate thinking about a core curriculum approach for business education that is in conformance with career education goals. (HD)

The author reviews several government reports and other publications for their definitions of core curriculum and comments on particular problems of middle school curriculum: balance and articulation. (SJL)

Reveals the dangers of the unchecked proliferation of special interest courses; e.g., overlap of course content with established offerings; ignoring major aspects of a subject in favor of minor aspects and failure to gain a comprehensive understanding; conflicting credit-granting policies; and needless competition with area schools. (AYC)

Paper presented at the 69th Annual Congress on Medical Education, February 10, 1973. Reactions to the paper constitute the remainder of this issue of the journal. (Editor/MU)

Presents a headmaster's viewpoints and comments on the core syllabus for A-level physics which appeared in the May 1980 issue of "Physics Education," including the necessity for instructional materials, in-service teacher learning, and feasibility studies. (SK)

How art education has evolved to become similar to academic subjects and the art education movement trend toward core curriculum membership (CCM) is the topic of this paper. The approach to art testing methods is used as an example of how qualification, accountability, and predictability of learning outcomes are being employed to legitimate art…

Discusses 11 problems hindering the implementation of the tech prep movement. Reviews a North Carolina project to develop a model approach to tech prep, highlighting required core and suggested courses at the secondary level and recommended elements at the postsecondary level. Lists components of a model tech prep system. (10 citations) (AJL)

Trends in curriculum reform are traced, and a number of relevant publications are critiqued. Three volumes issued by the Carnegie Council on Policy Studies deal with the problems and issues of the college curriculum. One volume, by Frederick Rudolph, is a historical survey of the American undergraduate curriculum. A second volume deals with the…

As traditional medical school curricula began to be criticized in the 1950s, various alternatives were proposed, including the organ-system based curriculum (organized around the organ systems of the body) and the problem-based curriculum (organized around clinical problems). From an open systems perspective, any such medical school curriculum…

A study conducted in 1981-82 examined program organization in the secondary division of Western Australia's district high schools. Because small secondary schools throughout the Western World are increasing in number, the study had as its genesis a concern for such schools and an appreciation of the difficulties they face in maintaining viable…