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Curriculum Change and Teacher Education in Lithuania

Curriculum Change and Teacher Education in Lithuania. Presented by Vaiva R. Vebraite Adviser, Lithuanian Ministry of Education and Science June 2003, Tbilisi. Four basic principles. Humanism Democracy Commitment to Lithuanian Culture and Plurality Renewal. Striking a political balance.

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Curriculum Change and Teacher Education in Lithuania

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  1. Curriculum Change and Teacher Education in Lithuania Presented by Vaiva R. Vebraite Adviser, Lithuanian Ministry of Education and Science June 2003, Tbilisi

  2. Four basic principles • Humanism • Democracy • Commitment to Lithuanian Culture and Plurality • Renewal

  3. Striking a political balance • Needs versus resources • Interests of society versus each individual • Wealth of our heritage versus the future wealth we are creating

  4. Leadership for change • “The task of modernization of the State must be accompanied by a broad program for modernization of the society, for the creation of a nation of citizens. An essential role in this program is played by education reform. Education is the means by which our present-day Lithuanian nation must create itself.” • —President Valdas Adamkus, 1999

  5. Five purposes of education • Enable each child to join the information society as an independent and responsible individual • Deliver modern, professional qualifications leading to fulfilling employment • Foster balanced development of the national economy, environmental and human resources • Guarantee continuity of the national culture, foster a sense of national identity and its development • Provide skills needed for constructive civic and political participation in Lithuania and the world

  6. What is quality in education? • Principles, purposes, precepts • Pragmatic, operational precepts • Equal opportunity • Relevance of content • Efficiency of delivery • Life-long learning • Embodied in the Law

  7. Living well in a democracy Living well in a free market economy Living well with globalization Living well in the information explosion Living well in a time of rapid political, economic and social change Living honorably: with compassion and justice for people in poverty and social isolation Responses to the challenges of independence

  8. Intended curriculum • Stem the overload of scholastic, rote information • Curtail narrow compartmentalization • Integrate the child into the world in stages • Introduction (grades 1-4) • Adaptation (grades 5-6) • Exploration (grades 7-8) • Orientation (grades 9-10) • Decision (grades 11-12)

  9. Delivered curriculum • Annual teaching plan • Prescribes weekly hours for each subject for each grade • Variants are available for schools to select • Local individualization is permitted

  10. Funding innovations • Funding per number and type of student • Funding follows the student • Teacher salary funds centrally guaranteed • Decentralization of funding provision for • Textbooks • Teaching aids • In-service courses • Free-market forces are brought into play

  11. Measuring attained curriculum • Classroom assessment: a matter of a changing culture • Basic School exams • Not required for graduation - teachers frustrated • External Matura exams • Universities now accept in lieu of entrance exams • Trusted as objective and transparent • Unintended consequences • Teaching to the test • High student and teacher stress

  12. Role of the teacher • Shift from instrument of reproductive learning to manager of student development • Changed objectives for students • communication skills • information technology skills • ability to think critically and constructively • to make independent decisions, • knowledge of ‘how to learn’ • ability to work in groups, to co-operate • to create and participate in the creation of culture

  13. Teacher training in transition • “Inadequately reformed teacher training programs in Lithuania are one of the greatest stumbling blocks on the way to completion of the education reform.” —OECD 2002 report • Universities not making full use of leadership role • No comprehensive initial (bachelors’) university program for education administrators • New strategy guidelines in development • Effectiveness audit • New training standards

  14. In-service training • Mandatory participation • International outreach • Open Society fund • American Professional Partnership for Lithuanian Education (A.P.P.L.E.) • Teacher centers • Center for professional development • “Training the trainers” • Schools as clients for in-service provision

  15. In education we trust • Shifts in public opinion have recently begun to favor the institution of education • “Education is one treasure that never weighs heavy”

  16. I traveled far to freedom. I tried not to stumble… I understood, that having climbed a big mountain, one sees a range of mountains stretching far into the distance, which one must climb next. I thought I might stop to rest and discreetly glance about at the glory surrounding me, but I cannot stop for even a minute, because freedom brings with it responsibility. I cannot delay, because my long journey is not yet over.” —Nelson Mandela

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