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A Needs Assessment: Reforming the U.S. School Curriculum. Curriculum is that which is taught in school. Curriculum is a program of Studies. Curriculum is a sequence of Courses. Curriculum is a series of experiences Undergone by Learners in school.
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Curriculum is that which is taught in school Curriculum is a program of Studies Curriculum is a sequence of Courses Curriculum is a series of experiences Undergone by Learners in school Curriculum is that which an individual learner experiences as a result of schooling.
Oliva (2009) provides the following examples on various concepts of the curriculum
Oliva (2009) provides ten generally accepted guidelines for continuous curriculum development.
1. Curriculum change is inevitable and describable 2. The curriculum is a product of its time Curriculum changes of earlier periods often co exist and overlap curriculum changes of later periods 4. Curriculum changes result only as people changed 5. Curriculum development is a cooperative group activity 6. Curriculum development is basically a process of making choices from among alternatives
Curriculum development never ends 8. Curriculum development is more effective if it is a comprehensive, not piecemeal process Curriculum development is more effective when it follows a systematic process Curriculum development starts where the curriculum is.
Are we providing our youth with the skill and agility necessary to succeed. Are we preparing our school leaders and teachers to effectively tackle and teach 21st century skills. How should we addressed the needs to build Successful carreer ? 4. What skills will they need to be good citizens?
Why reform the U.S. School curriculum?
The world has changed but our school have not, and there are urgent calls from the society to update the curriculum. (AACTE, 2010) The New commission on the skills of American workforce (2007)urges to revamp the nations workforce education and training system. Mostly high regarded business institutions in the country finds that schools are failing to prepare students for 21st century career s (Wagner ,2008).
United states is not preparing young people with the skills they need to compete in the global economy (Peter D. Hart Research Associates, 2007). Parents want school to push their children, to present lesson that are interesting and provide curriculum that they will embrace (Bridgeland (2008). We need our youth to master the “skills of a living curriculum to succeed in an environment that is constantly changing (Academy 21, Hawaii)
Strong skills in English, Mathematics, Technology and Science as well as History, Literature and Arts (NCSAW, 2007). Provides framework for 21st century learning by fusing the 3 R’s and 4 C’s. (http://www.p21.org/) European countries have reached consensus that changes includes literacy and numeracy as precondition for other learning (Euridice, 2002).
Academic Achievement Academic Achievement Academic Achievement Academic Achievement
Do stakeholders of schools see a need for change? What do stakeholders of school think about the current school curriculum? What skills do they value/recommend for students? What can schools do to better prepare students for a changing and challenging world? How can school curriculum be changed to meet the needs of the 21st century?
Should American curriculum teach these subjects to remain globally competitive in the new era?
Should the schools be required to equip students with the following skills
Over half of the respondents agree that American education is lagging behind the times and teaching with out-dated curriculum. Majority believes that 21st century skills are not emphasized in American schools. American students need to be literate, first and foremost . Students need to be creative, adaptable, and inquisitive above traditional competencies in academic disciplines
5. Respondents believe in collaboration between school, Family and community and think they should be the core to any curriculum 6.