Analysis the Competences and Contents of 'Mathematics and Environmental Exploration' Subject Syllabus for Preparatory Grade

In this paper, we analyze some aspects related to "Mathematics and Environmental Exploration" subject syllabus for preparatory grade approved by Minister of National Education of Romania. The analysis aim the place of the subject syllabus into the Framework Plan; the syllabus structure and the argumentation of studying this subject; the syllabus general and specific competences; the relationship between competences and contents. Regarding the place into the Framework Plan this subject is part of curricular area "Mathematics and Natural Sciences". The name of the subject integrates two scientific fields Mathematics and Environmental Science for which is allocated 4 hours per week. The analysis of the syllabus, showed that it was developed according to "a new curricular design, focused on competences" (2013, p. 2), model-based on outcomes learning (Spady, 1994 as cited in Catana, 2010) and associated with student-centered approach (Catana, 2010). The analysis of general and specific syllabus competences show several aspects: to be specific to the two integrated disciplines, they require some reformulations; not all specific competences have been correctly derivate from the associated general competence. By analyzing the proposed contents, we observe that there is no information indicating whether themes are chapters' titles, topics for lessons, if they are wider or narrower than a lesson. The paper, along with observations, presents suggestions for improving the "Mathematics and Environmental Exploration" subject syllabus for preparatory grade.