Final+Exam


 * Here it is. . . the final exam: **

My primary aim throughout the semester was to help you recognize principles of curriculum through the work of curriculum workers in history (Dewey’s lab school, Eight Year Study). I was partly motivated by the notion that “exemplars” were beneficial because so little actual curriculum work is taking place in schools. I was also motivated by the hope that having a concrete image of curriculum work would help you to apply the principles you’ve learned in other contexts. One such context was your project: the curriculum evaluation. Your final offers you a second context.

Consider one of the two curriculum issues identified here (copies of speech/transcript are provided below as well as links to the web sites where found) – Arne Duncan’s call for national standards or the challenges Saudi Arabia is experiencing about changes in its curriculum to remove references to Islam. How would you respond to one of these issues based on what you now know about principles of curriculum development as well as your understanding of curriculum work through the history of Dewey’s lab school and the Eight Year Study?

Feel free to be creative and write your response directly to Mr. Duncan or as a “consultant” hired by the Saudi government. However creative you are, however, make sure you provide strong evidence that you have understood connections between your response and the readings and concepts of this class. Your grade on the final will depend on your capacity to think critically and analyze a curriculum issue as well as your ability to demonstrate an understanding of concepts, principles, and the history addressed in this class. You do not have to “cover” everything we discussed, but you do need to support your analysis of the curriculum issue with appropriate key elements of the class.

Please complete the final exam by midnight on Wednesday, July 22nd.

Keep in mind that Duncan addresses a number of points in his speech. If you choose this, you need to focus on his 4th area of reform: national standards.