Curriculum theory must attend to three problem areas: educational practice, ethical criteria, and content. Educational practice includes questions about predictions, explanations, and descriptions. Ethical criteria are used to clarify improvements in values. Substantive content ranges across areas of human inquiry from the humanities to natural…

This article discusees various motives of educators who involve themselves in curriculum research, reviews seven research methodologies (including surveys, content analysis, and sociolocial studies), and applies John Elliot's sociological taxonomy of educational research to English language and literature curricula. (AM)

Delineates four uses of schooling: replicative (rote), applied, associative, and interpretive learning. Argues that on the first two uses, by which schooling is ordinarily judged, the curriculum fails. Calls on curriculum researchers to demonstrate the school's role in developing the associative and interpretive uses of knowledge necessary to…

Critiques the prescriptions and policy implications of the National Science Foundation (NSF) institute on curriculum priorities in the natural and social sciences. Proposes that NSF's withdrawal from the politics of curriculum reform is an abdication of its responsibility to provide national leadership in these fields. (SK)

A study sought to examine factors affecting teacher acceptance of an instructional unit on international agriculture. Teachers were in significant agreement that the factors affecting teacher nonuse of the new unit during the two-month period immediately following its receipt were scheduling considerations. (LRA)

This article argues for the development of curriculum reform and graduation requirements that will help students gain and demonstrate the variety of skills and attitudes necessary to survive and function in our society. (JMF)

Curriculum study is examined from the viewpoint of content (types of information rather than subjects to be studied) and utility (how elements of knowledge function in behavior to the benefit of whom) in an attempt to provide stimuli for a revival of research in the field. (MB)

Reflects on the merits of the Problem Based curriculum designed at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario nearly 30 years ago. This curriculum was a product influenced by the times in which it was used rather than by any educational theory. Concludes that it is necessary to edit the problems as well as any other course materials so as not to…

Characteristics of school curricula developed at the provincial level in Canada were studied. About 100 documents explaining science, history, English, and family studies curricula were reviewed for content and quality, which varied widely. Curricula were usually developed by professional educators, and evaluation issues were rarely discussed in…

Describes a project to develop a model taxonomy of exemplary international education (IE) operations from the literature and apply it to 65 Texas community colleges to determine the extent that they provide IE. Indicates that the model practices existed in few of the colleges, with only three colleges having all of the components. (31 citations)…

Describes a study examining approaches of community college faculty to curriculum planning and teaching and modifications they have made in curricula to meet societal changes. Indicates that vocational faculty were more outwardly directed than academic faculty and that the amount and depth of course revision slows with teacher experience. (17…

Discusses the history of curriculum theory, reasons for the gap between theory and practice, and propositions for improving the relationship. Literature shows little progress in reducing the gap. Three movements may offer theorists and practitioners more curriculum control and reduce the gap: empowering teachers, professionalizing teaching, and…

Though the second wave of curriculum theorizing attempts to improve students' and teachers' lives, transform conventional curriculum development, and challenge neoconservative curricula, this paper argues that it has not affected K-12 education. The article discusses absence of reflective action in school-based settings within contemporary…

Study looked at the amount, kinds, and development of required writing tasks in courses taken by elementary teachers educated at Eastern Montana College. Instructors for 61 courses were interviewed. Results showed that reflective writing assignments were minimal and that 33 percent of the courses had minimal to nonexistent writing requirements.…

Surveys were conducted of the directors of 120 Ontario public libraries and 7 Canadian library schools to assess how well the schools are preparing students for administrative and management positions. It was found that the schools are covering the topics deemed important by public libraries through general courses in library administration. (36…