Define curriculum and explain how it evolved?

Answer 1

1988 The National Curriculum is introduced in all state schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, prescribing what children should be taught to ensure each pupil is given the same standard of education. Along with the new curriculum, GCSE exams for 16 year olds are taught for the first time.

1990 Standard Assessment Tests (SATs) are brought in at state schools for all seven year olds.

1994 An A* grade is invented at GCSE to help distinguish between the top candidates. SATS are also introduced for 11 year olds.

1996 The Education Act 1996 requires all maintained schools to offer courses in religious education, but parents can opt their children out of the subject. Secondary schools must also offer a sex education programme.

1997 A third SAT exam is created for all 14 year olds in the country. More education laws also ensure all older pupils are given courses in careers education.

2000 A major overhaul of A-levels sees each course broken down into six modules, three of which are sat a year earlier at the new AS level.

2002 New laws force all schools to offer pupils at least one course in each grouping of subjects at GCSE: the arts, design and technology, the humanities, and modern foreign languages.

2003 Laws preventing councils from "promoting teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship" are axed.

2007 Labour is criticised for telling schools to strip back the traditional curriculum, removing Churchill and Hitler from the syllabus in favour of courses in debt management, the environment and healthy eating.

2008 A level exam marking criteria are adapted to include a new A* grade similar to that at GCSE.

2009 Unpopular SATs for 14 year olds are scrapped, along with the science exam for 11 year olds

2011 The coalition announces an overhaul of the curriculum, with more focus to be placed on British history and great works of literature.

Answer 2

Curriculum refers to the set of courses, materials, and experiences that make up an educational program. It has evolved over time from a traditional, teacher-centered approach focused on content delivery to a more student-centered approach that emphasizes skills, competencies, and real-world applications. This evolution reflects changing educational philosophies, societal needs, and advancements in teaching and learning theories.

Answer 3

Curriculum can be defined as a set course of study in a college or school. It has greatly evolved from basic math and writing to advanced mathematics and writing.