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The objective of this paper is to explain the curriculum modifications in secondary education in Costa Rica. Specifically, it is centered on the review, analysis, and interpretation of the characteristics of the plan of study for basic secondary education in Costa Rica, as well as on the identification of progress and problems. The article first analyzes the tendencies in Latin America for secondary education and the tensions generated in various nations given the social, economic, and educational demands; subsequently, the proposals that Costa Rica has made in this framework, given the need to achieve quality and pertinence. Lastly, it reflects on the reforms of curriculum change in secondary education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the Tuning - Latin America Project, a total of 11 scholars from 10 countries in the region produced a proposal for 24 specific competences for the psychology training. In accordance with these competences, research was conducted by the School of Psychology of the University of Costa Rica (UCR) to estimate their levels of "importance" and "fulfillment". This was done through electronic questionnaires answered by 56 teachers, 34 employers, 73 students, and 62 graduates in Psychology from the UCR. High levels of "importance" were obtained in all competences; especially those related to professional ethics and the ability to realize a comprehensive and contextualized practice. Interdisciplinary work obtained high levels of "importance" but low levels of "fulfillment". Comparisons done after grouping competences by exploratory factor analysis confirmed these results. The paper concludes that there is real and contextual relevance of these competences in the professional performance of Psychology in the Costa Rican context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes some of the changes in the curricula of the Escuela de Trabajo Social de la Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) (School of Social Work of the University of Costa Rica) from 1950 to 1980, a period during which social work came of age. The results of the analysis show the main influences of the period, including national historical events and differences with curricula proposed by the United Nations (UN), influences that later informed the debate on Latin American social work. The paper points out the importance of recognizing these influences as the primary critical impulse behind the development of curricula for Costa Rican social work in the 20th century. [TRANSLATION]

This paper presents partial results of the research project Graduate Tracer Study for Education Science with a concentration in Education Administration, carried out between 2003 and 2005. It discusses the general theoretical framework of this type of studies, notes relevant aspects of the historical-social development of modern careers, and gives an overview of graduate profiles and of the degree track of Education Administration at the University of Costa Rica. Partial results are presented on the opinion of the 2003 graduates in Alajuela, along with the information analysis obtained through the focal group technique. Some conclusions are highlighted in relation to the advantages and limitations of the tracer studies for change and innovation in the college curricula in general, and particularly, related to the experience of using this tool in the department of Education Administration. [TRANSLATION]