The content of a humanities course allows students to understand other philosophies, cultures, and values different from their own. The problem is that although the literature indicates the many benefits of completing a humanities course, the prioritization of academic performance in core courses such as reading, math, and science, coupled with…

This design case describes the curricular transformation process undertaken by San José de Las Vegas school, a K4-11 school in Medellin, Colombia, committed to educating students as conscientious global citizens. The case outlines the school's multifaceted design choices, including the sequential steps and activities to develop and implement a…

In 2013 the Vermont legislature enacted Act 77 mandating that students in grades 7-12 develop personalized learning plans (PLPs) to guide them toward high school graduation using proficiency based requirements. In a qualitative self-study the authors document the implementation of a personal learning framework integrating PLPs into a humanities…

Climate change as an instructional topic in K-12 schools is most frequently taught in the science classroom. However, it is a human issue requiring social as well as technological and scientific solutions. This study analyzes and evaluates a climate change curriculum implemented via an integrated social studies and language arts framework in a…

This introductory article accompanies three further articles forming a case study research project undertaken to describe the experience of four urban secondary schools implementing a competence-based curriculum for students in their first year of secondary education. The nature of such competence-based curricula is discussed in the context of…

Background: It has been claimed that thematic or integrated approaches to curriculum delivery offer a range of advantages over subject-based modes of delivery including improved pupil motivation. Purpose: This study put claims regarding pupil motivation to the test, using the achievement goals framework. This contemporary approach to understanding…