In response to numerous criticisms of technocratic models of social studies curricula this paper describes a critical approach to curriculum design. Major areas of criticism related to knowledge, learning and evaluation, and teaching are explored as they relate to issues of curriculum planning and implementation and a critical approach to…

A functional-notational syllabus was developed for use in Papua New Guinea because the English language needs and terminal competence of students in that country are more easily identifiable in terms of functional-notional categories than of language structures. The syllabus for grades 7-10 is divided into units or topics of language uses, and…

This is a progress report for a project attempting to gather and share information about effective dropout prevention strategies in action at the middle school and high school levels around the Northwest region of the United States. Introductory material reviews current views of the dropout problem, recent reports which address the issue of…

This series is intended for music educators and features speeches and articles by leaders in music and arts education on a wide variety of current issues. The issue develops notions based on two core events: the teaching of music and the learning of music. Two major concepts are addressed: the identification of a realm of competence acceptable in…

Chapter 1 of this monograph dealing with basic physical education instruction programs traces the history of physical education in colleges and universities from 1885 to 1985. Physical education programs became strongly entrenched within the higher education curriculum with the sanction of college administrators who recognized a responsibility to…

The National Institute for Curriculum Development (SLO) in the Netherlands originated in 1975 to evaluate and redesign existing curricula and to coordinate programs at various levels. The SLO Humanities department, which includes the subjects of geography, history, and economics, has been engaged in curriculum development in lower vocational and…

The purpose of this paper is to explain the relationship of Mortimer Adler's Paideia Proposal to John Dewey's "progressive" educational philosophy; to demonstrate Adler's and Dewey's philosophical similarities; and to discuss the impact and implications of their works on public school curriculum design ideology. Two common denominators…

This administrators' handbook gives directions for implementing a kindergarten program. Specifically, chapters discuss: roles of school staff members; general characteristics and needs of young children (including those with special needs) in various developmental areas; procedures for renovating or constructing classroom and playground…

A study was conducted to review the major functions of a two-year college curriculum as identified in the literature; to relate these functions to specific academic areas within the sciences, social sciences, and science-related technologies; and to relate curriculum functions to specific courses within these academic areas. The literature on the…

The concept of "curriculum alignment" is based on the principle that, if instructional accomplishments are to be reliably obtained, three things must line up: instructional objectives, testing systems, and classroom instruction. The task of aligning a curriculum is described as requiring four attitudinal approaches: (1) Teachers and…

Delaware's standards for modern language curriculum content in public schools are provided for teachers' use in coordinating instruction. Teachers are encouraged to use communicative, student-centered classroom activities and to reinforce and expand the material in successive instructional units. The guide consists of introductory sections on the…

In each era of curriculum reform the prevailing perceptions of what the school curriculum must accomplish define the standard of cultural literacy for our society. E. D. Hirsch believes that contemporary youth lack cultural literacy and that without this knowledge of the fundamental facts of U.S. culture they cannot effectively read or…

Elementary school students differ in interest, capacity, achievement, social development, socioeconomic level, and psychomotor skills. These individual differences are discussed in reference to the process of designing the elementary social studies curriculum. Part One suggests ways in which teachers can respond to students' individual…

This report summarizes the results of a study conducted to provide a complete and documented picture of public secondary education in Massachusetts. The study involved an analysis of questionnaire data and transcripts from about 3,000 graduates in the 1984 school year. Specifically, the study addressed the following questions: (1) How do student…

This paper describes an inservice education program for teachers entitled "Participation and Planning: The Classroom Teacher and the Curriculum Process." Fourteen teachers with varying backgrounds attended the course. The objectives of the course were to (1) provide participants with experiences in the design, implementation, and…