Transcript National Curriculum - Larry Cuban on School Reform and

National Curriculum
By: Eric Knight, Andy Skunberg
Alex Langner, Jason Aberson
National Curriculum Essential Questions
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How does a national curriculum effect test
scores?
Culturally would a national curriculum work
for the United States?
Other than test scores, how do other
countries assess their curriculum?
Is the United States to diverse to have a
national curriculum?
What is National Curriculum?
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The National Curriculum is a framework
used by all maintained schools to ensure
that teaching and learning is balanced and
consistent.
What is National Curriculum?
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It sets out:
the subjects taught
the knowledge, skills and understanding
required in each subject
standards or attainment targets in each subject teachers can use these to measure your child's
progress and plan the next steps in their
learning
how your child's progress is assessed and
reported
What is National Curriculum?
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Within the framework of the National
Curriculum, schools are free to plan and
organize teaching and learning in the way
that best meets the needs of their pupils (in
the UK)
Many schools use the Qualifications and
Curriculum Authority (QCA) Schemes of
Work to plan their curriculum. These help to
translate the National Curriculum’s objectives
into teaching and learning activities.
Countries with National Curriculum
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England (first to introduce the Curriculum 1988)
Wales
Northern Ireland
Jordan
Singapore
China
New Zealand
France
Hungary
Countries with National Curriculum
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Italy,
Japan,
Korea,
the Netherlands
Norway
Portugal
Most states in the U.S. follow common
guidelines for a core curriculum, although
there is no national curriculum as such.
Advantages of a National Curriculum
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Establishes a Unified Educational Front
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Allow state by state comparison
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All standards would be the same
Certification for teaching standards
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Gets all states on the same page
State qualifications be the same across the board
Could see where strengths/weakness areas
are
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Certain disciplines in certain areas of the country
Advantages of a National Curriculum
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Post-Secondary Consistency
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Regulations could be the same
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A way to assess outside of the ACT, SAT, Etc.
Other than Standardized tests
Special Ed
Pacing of Students
Students who move interstate benefit
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Broken homes allow student to not be left behind with a move
Disadvantages of a National Curriculum
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Disagreement between lawmakers
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Other aspects of education need to become
uniform
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Starting date, days of school, salaries
Availability of educators
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Who decides what is important/ what is not important
Some need more training to cover topics wanted to cover in certain areas
Not available in rural areas
Inclusion of other types of schools
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Private, charter, home schooled.
Disadvantages of a National Curriculum
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Hidden Curriculums differ
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Federal Government power
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State by state things in between curriculum lines differ
Allows the feds not the state where their funding should go
Too much power to people that are not involved with the area
Different Cultures make up United States
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Different cultures value different aspects of education
Why doesn’t every Country have a
National Curriculum
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Questions about learning targets and which are
most important
Decision on what is most important to least
important
Size of US is a factor because of the control that
local authorities feel they need
A fear of breaking educational practice traditions
England began in 1988
Countries have changed in recent years
How Countries Measure Curriculum
Country
Grades
Purpose
United States
5,8,11
National and State feedback
Korea
4,5,6,7,8,10
System-level feedback
Singapore
6,10,12
Selection into classes/University
Canada
4,7,10
System/School level feedback
Hungary
4,6,8,10,12
Individual feedback
Morocco
6,9,10,11,12
System and level feedback
Tunisia
4,6,9,13
May lead to redistribution of
teachers
Turkey
5,8,11
System and school level feeback
How a National Curriculum Effects Test
Scores
Country
Type of
Curriculum
Mean Score
United States
Regional and Local
500
Japan
National
550
Finland
National
538
Canada
Regional
529
Australia
Regional and Local
528
Italy
National
478
Russian Federation
National
460
Would a National Curriculum Work in the
U.S.
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America has a long tradition of local control of
schools
Would Americans wonder if it would be
educationally enhancing?
Would experiences of students in the schools
be enriched?
Would we better serve students that are “at
risk”?
Sources:
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Abramson, Larry (2007, January 1). Conversation calls for National Education
Curriculum. Retrieved May 2, 2007, from National Curriculum Web site:
http://www.parent.org.uk/national.htm
Give us freedom to teach Madeleine Brettingham. The Times Educational
Supplement. London:Nov 17, 2006. Iss. 4712, p. 1
(2003, October 3). Education in UK. Retrieved May 2, 2007, from Education in the UK
System Web site: http://www.news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/UK_systems/93541.htm
Henning, John E. Education. Chula Vista:Summer 2006. Vol. 126, Iss. 4, p. 729-737
(9 pp.)
Kamotsu, Shigehisa (1999, November 22). International Education Journal. Retrieved
May 2, 2007, from Japanese Education Web site:
http://ehlt.flinders.edu.au/education/iej/articles/v3n5/4komatsu/paper.pdf
National curriculum could dent education standards: Iemma AAP General News Wire.
Sydney:Oct 6, 2006. p. 1
Rationing Education In an Era of Accountability Jennifer Booher-Jennings. Phi Delta
Kappan. Bloomington:Jun 2006. Vol. 87, Iss. 10, p. 756-761 (6 pp.)