Curriculum Development

SUBJECT: Curriculum Development and Implementation

TOPIC: PRINCIPLES GOVERNING A CURRICULUM PROGRAM

Reporter: Joseyline K. Lad-ing

According to Burton and Brueckner, the following principles govern a curriculum development program:

1. A curriculum development program emerges out of an accurate picture of what the curriculum is now doing.

2. The program may be and is initiated by:

a) acting upon a criticism or dissatisfaction;

b) bringing up shortcomings for discussion;

c) Introducing a new departure in education.

3. A community diagnosis must be made in order to show accurately the existing constellation of convictions, opinions, attitudes, the channels of influence and power, and the key persons and organizations.

4. A participatory process should be used providing for the widest possible involvement of the professional staff and the community members.

A successful process must therefore provide for:

→ growth of the personnel;

→ observable results of the instructional materials and methods;

→ desirable type of security within the staff, pupils, and community;

→ continuity of efforts.

5. A functional organization and machinery must be developed

* A democratic and functional organization for a curriculum program is desirable because:

a. It is the most efficient method in the long run;

b. It provides full opportunity for individuals and minority groups who often have important contributions to mark;

c. It is likely to encourage and to utilize social invention;

d. It insures group solidarity, growth for individuals and groups, and accomplishment.

6. The program should be based on a geographic and administrative unit shallow enough to permit face-to-face contacts, with provisions for unnecessary coordination among small units.

7. A balance must be maintained between gradualism and rapidity.

→ a curriculum development program must be a gradual process.

→ Ideas dealing with mechanics, machinery, and material things will change for more rapidly but we can make no assumptions about changes in more subtle affairs.

8. The