1. A Comparative Study of Mathematics Curricula in Saudi Arabia and the Countries of the Second International Study of Mathematics at Primary and Post-Primary Levels
- Author
-
Mohammed All Malak
- Subjects
Second International Study of Mathematics ,lcsh:B ,Saudi Arabia ,Mathematics Curricula ,lcsh:L ,lcsh:Philosophy. Psychology. Religion ,Mathematics ,lcsh:Education - Abstract
Due to the latest attempt to change the Saudi Mathematics Curriculum many questions have been raised: Is the so-called "new mathematics" suitable to the Saudi students? How high is the level of abstraction of its new concepts? Does this level match the Saudi students' age and cognitive development? To answer these questions, much educational research must be conducted. This study is done in that direction; mainly, to examine where the Saudi mathematics curriculum stands when compared with some international curricula. In this study, fifty-two mathematical subjects introduced in the Saudi curriculum were statistically analyzed and compared with the corresponding subjects introduced in the curricula of twenty-three countries which participated in the Second International Mathematics Study conducted in the five year period from 1976 to 1983. Some useful results have been reached including: 1) The Saudi curriculum introduces twenty mathematical concepts earlier than what the international curricula specify. 2) There were three mathematical concepts introduced late in the Saudi curriculum when compared with the international standard. 3) Seventeen mathematical concepts were equally introduced timewise in the Saudi curriculum and in the studied curricula. 4) It was impossible to compare seven mathematical concepts due to lack of international agreement on where these concepts should come. 5) It was found that some subjects were ignored by the Saudi curriculum while some international curricula recognize them. Based on the findings of this paper several recommendations were made to improve the Saudi curriculum.
- Published
- 1985