Integrating Needs Assessment into Career and Technical Curriculum Development

Deciding what should be included in a curriculum has long been a topic of controversy. The struggle to identify what should be taught in schools has been evident throughout the development of American schools and continues today. This article discusses the importance of needs assessment throughout the curriculum development process. Needs assessment is a powerful tool that can help clarify and validate true needs. Since a needs analysis collects information that can be used in making educational decisions, integrating needs assessment throughout the curriculum development process can help to assure that career and technical programs do not create an either-or situation but rather benefit both the learners and society.