Deciding what should be included in a curriculum is a big responsibility, one that affects the future of students being taught. It involves the expertise of many different stakeholders, from those in the educational departments to the teachers who will be teaching the curriculum.
It is an important decision to make, as it can define what children learn, how they learn it and how they experience their education. This article will discuss how and who decides what goes into the curriculum for educational institutions.
What is a Curriculum?
A curriculum is a document that outlines the objectives and content that should be taught in each educational class. It contains details such as the topics to be covered, the expected learning outcomes and the assessments used to measure progress and performance. Curricula are usually organized by grade level, subject or course, and should be updated regularly.
The overall purpose of a curriculum is to ensure that students and schools meet certain learning standards and objectives. The content of a curriculum is determined by different stakeholders in the educational process, with the ability to influence what topics are included in the curriculum.
This is why it is important to understand who is involved in making these decisions and how they go about making them.
Who Decides What Goes Into the Curriculum?
The various stakeholders involved in deciding what content goes into the curriculum will depend on the specific educational institution. Generally, there are some key individuals and groups that are influential when it comes to deciding the curriculum content. Firstly, the educational department is of course very important in deciding curriculum content.
The department might be at the local, state or federal level, depending on the jurisdiction of the school. In any case, curriculum decisions will be in the hands of the educational department.
They decide, through their research and expertise, what is suitable for study at each grade level and subject. The teachers in an educational institution will also have an important role in deciding the curriculum. Teachers are often consulted on what needs to be included in the curriculum for their particular grade level or subject.
They can provide important input as to what topics to include, as well as give advice on assessment methods, learning strategies and so on. Finally, there are other external stakeholders who may have an influence on the curriculum content.
This can include parents, members of the local community, educational experts, and so on. Their opinions may influence the content of the curriculum, whether it be through direct or indirect input.
The Process of Deciding a Curriculum
Once the stakeholders have had an input, the process of deciding what should go into the curriculum can begin. Generally, this includes researching the most relevant and current topics that need to be included, creating assessment methods and finalizing the objectives.
This is all done with the latest educational research in mind, taking into consideration desired learning outcomes. Once the curriculum has been decided, it is then put into a document, with the relevant topics, expected learning outcomes and assessment method outlined. This document is then used by teachers in their classrooms, ensuring that students are being taught what is expected and necessary for their grade and subject.
The Benefits of Having a Structured Curriculum
By having a structured curriculum in place, students benefit from having objectives and goals to reach for. Knowing what needs to be taught and learnt can help with organization and focus, instilling important life skills such as time management. It helps ensure that students are not cramming information, or even worse, knowing what they should learn but not learning it.
Having a standardized curriculum also enables teachers to plan their lesson preparation and delivery. They know what topics are coming up in their classes and can plan accordingly, ensuring they use the best teaching techniques to adequately cover all the topics.
A well-structured curriculum also allows a personalized approach, with teachers adding their own knowledge, experiences and ideas to their classes.
Conclusion
Deciding what to include in a curriculum involves many key stakeholders. Various opinions and thoughts are taken into consideration and ultimately the educational department decides what topics are taught.
This information is then compiled in a document and implemented into classrooms, to ensure students are being taught the necessary topics and reaching the desired learning outcomes. A structured curriculum benefits students, by providing objectives and goals to reach for, as well as helping teachers organize and plan their classes.