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Curriculum integration in context: an exploration of how structures and circumstances affect design and implementation

This report presents the findings from a study of curriculum integration models undertaken by the Academy for Educational Development (AED), National Institute for Work and Learning (NIWL) to assess the quality of integration-related reforms at the classroom level in the US, and to document best practices for promoting desired student outcomes. The research builds on an earlier study of an employer-driven school-to-work initiative, to test the theory that curriculum integration initiatives led by different stakeholders might use different strategies and result in different types of programmatic outcomes. Four curriculum integration case studies were undertaken: an employer-led model; one developed by university faculty; a model designed by high school teachers; and a ‘mixed’ model in which there were multiple catalysts or drivers. Curriculum integration was re-defined during the research study as ‘a series of conscious and informed strategies used to connect academic and vocational content so that one becomes a platform for instruction in the other over an extended period of time’. The findings revealed that curriculum integration initiatives have the potential to act as a powerful education reform strategy. They appeared to have a positive impact on academic and vocational teachers, both individually and in teams. Students appeared to be more motivated to learn and they developed both academic and vocational knowledge and skills. The first sections of the report contain an overview of the project, a description of the research methodology, and profiles of the case study sites. The report uses practical applications from the seven sites to illustrate the major components of the revised definition of curriculum integration and clarifies why each component is significant. Finally, the report demonstrates how the context affects the nature of curriculum integration efforts through an examination of the structural components and administrative circumstances that facilitate effective integration of academic and vocational education at the secondary level.

This report presents the findings from a study of curriculum integration models undertaken by the Academy for Educational ...  Show Full Abstract  

Authors: Johnson, Amy Bell; Charner, Ivan; White, Robin
Corporate authors: National Centers for Career and Technical Education (U.S.) (NCCTE)
AED National Institute for Work and Learning (U.S.) (NIWL)
Date: 2003
Geographic subjects: North America; United States
Resource type: Report
Subjects: Vocational education and training; Outcomes; Quality;

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