Degree Name

Education Specialist (EdS)

Semester of Degree Completion

1981

Thesis Director

David E. Bartz

Abstract

This field study examines curriculum. Historical developments and trends are enumerated and discussed. A recent development in the field of education, minimal competency testing, and its possible effects on curriculum are reviewed.

Specifically, this paper examines curriculum problem areas in the Cowden-Herrick Community Consolidated School District #11, Cowden, Illinois. The Cowden-Herrick Community Consolidated School District #11 is an elementary (K-8) district with an enrollment of four hundred and twenty students. A survey of administrators and teachers was conducted in the following basic curriculum areas: reading, mathematics, language arts/communication skills, science, and social studies. These five areas were selected as a beginning point for curriculum evaluation in the Cowden-Herrick Elementary Schools.

Survey results were itemized and an analysis was conducted to determine trends or consensus of opinion. All of the five areas surveyed were perceived as having some problems. Even though teacher response was limited in science and social studies areas, teachers were in agreement that the science curriculum area had more problems than any other subject area surveyed.

Administrators and teachers were, in general, in agreement as to what specific problems existed within each curriculum area surveyed. Additionally, administrators were in agreement on the survey instrument approximately sixty-three percent of the time.

As a result of the School District Curriculum Problems Survey several recommendations/suggestions were made in relationship to the Cowden-Herrick Community Consolidated School District #11. Among recommendations were: consideration be given to utilization of the Illinois Problem Index Survey; early involvement of teachers in curriculum problem solving efforts; a schedule of in-service workshops for teachers of the district in the science and social studies areas; and Curriculum Committees, which are adequately funded, need to be established in the school district.

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