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This paper reports teacher and learner perspectives on how assessment and reform influences pedagogical practices and behaviours. The research was conducted in a context of policy reform, at a time when Wales' revised General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) specifications had been implemented, and learners were preparing for their assessments; but, also during the period of debate on the development of Wales' new curriculum, which has taken a distinct and contrasting position on assessment to the assumptions underlying the reform of Welsh GCSEs implemented from 2015. These data, therefore, offer unique insights into the affordances and limitations of two sharply contrasting systems at a time of considerable change, offering reflections on the current curriculum and its attendant assessment practices, and also a prospective analysis of how the principles embedded in the new curriculum could challenge these existing assumptions and conventions. Findings suggest that teachers and learners currently inhabit an assessment‐driven system, which encourages performative practices in pedagogy and is governed by external accountability; and that these practices are at odds with the principles of assessment articulated in Successful Futures. Consequently, teachers in this study expressed uncertainty about how assessment for certification purposes at GCSE could be compatible with the principles of the Curriculum for Wales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent worldwide trends in curriculum policy have re-emphasised the role of teachers in school-based curriculum development. Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence is typical of these trends, stressing that teachers are agents of change. This paper draws upon empirical data to explore school-based curriculum development in response to Curriculum for Excellence. We focus on two case studies – secondary schools within a single Scottish local education authority. In the paper we argue that the nature and extent of innovation in schools is dependent upon teachers being able to make sense of often complex and confusing curriculum policy, including the articulation of a clear vision about what such policy means for education within each school. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Discusses the National Curriculum and other educational reforms in Great Britain. Importance of 1979 to British educational system; Effect on children's education; Factor driving the educational system.

This paper reviews the history of oracy in the UK over the past decade as it has been articulated in significant national curricular developments, including the National Oracy Project, the National Curriculum for English and the National Literacy Strategy. Starting with Barnes' (1988) evaluation of the political tensions surrounding oracy, I identify conflicting models of oracy embedded in these educational programmes, noting the gradual erosion of the cross-curricular function of oracy in favour of a centralised oracy, controlled by the teacher and related, in complex but subordinate ways, to literacy. I trace these tensions in the classroom discourse of 7-year-old children, speculating about the implications for learners of the competing versions of oracy. Finally, I argue for a reinstatement of oracy as a whole curriculum project and for the recognition of the distinctive role played by small group interaction in realising the kind of whole class 'interactive teaching' nominated most recently in the National Literacy Strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the educational curriculum policies of the Labour Party government in Great Britain since its election to office in May 1997. Information on the Technical and Vocational Education Initiative established by the Conservative government in 1982; Discussion on the importance of education.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the content features of educational technology curricula for primary education developed by national governments. A qualitative cross-case document analysis of the national educational technology curriculum of Norway, Flanders and England was conducted. The analysis focuses on the underlying visions, specific aims and instruction related aspects that are integrated in the national educational technology curricula of the three cases under investigation. The results indicate that specific aims mainly focus on the critical use of educational technology; safe and responsible use of educational technology; information retrieval, processing and production; communication by use of educational technology; and use of educational technology for subject learning. It is possible that a discrepancy exists between the concepts of digital literacy and the specific aims that are addressed in educational technology curricula. Moreover, the rationales that underlie educational technology curricula represent a catalytic and social point of view rather than an economic one. The implications of our findings for curriculum developers and researchers are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzes the nature and origins of the curricular policy of the Labor Party in Great Britain. Abolition of the compulsory curriculum by Eustace Percy, President of the Board of Education in Prime Minister Baldwin's Conservative government, 1924-1929; Labor's commitment to curricular devolution in Percy's time in contrast to its policy during its period of office from 1997-2001.

The National Curriculum had very specific objectives. From the beginning there have been claims that the failure to implement the programme in full was the fault of a 'liberal' educational establishment. This article looks at implementation from the perspective of a researcher who was engaged in classroom observation, mainly in primary schools, during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Among the consequences of the implementation strategies adopted have been negligible effects on teaching methods, falling standards and lack of increased curriculum continuity on transfer to Key Stage 3. The findings of this research suggest that recent calls for teachers to be mandated as to how to teach the curriculum will not overcome these problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of a history curriculum for England and for Wales under the terms of the 1988 Education Reform Act occasioned more debate in the media than any other subject in the National Curriculum. The links between the content of a history syllabus and perceptions within both nations of the part this plays in moulding national spirit made this inevitable. The disparity of view between the two groups charged with devising the syllabus and the government, particularly the Prime Minister, heightened the tension. This article explores the way in which consequent political, professional and public discussion was covered in the whole range of national newspapers. It is argued that the failure of the London press to comprehend the situation in Wales reduced significantly its appreciation of the processes involved in the making of the history curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyses aspects of the implementation of the National Curriculum for initial teacher training (ITT). It focuses on the impact of the standards upon course design and structure and particularly the emphasis on the development of subject knowledge. The assessment of students in terms of subject knowledge and the standards for qualified teacher status (QTS) are explored alongside the development of partnership schools and mentoring programmes. The impact of external agencies such as OFSTED and the TTA is included in the discussion. Future implications for primary and secondary ITT programmes are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on a study which analyzed the impact of the first ten years of the National Curriculum in England and Wales upon personal-social education. Progressive impact for a non-progressive effect; Effects on the personal-social curriculum; Conceptualization of the personal-social curriculum.