Pilot Testing, Monitoring and Evaluating the Implementation of Curriculum

Pilot Testing or Field Try-out Whenever a curriculum is written as in books, course manuals, modules or the whole curricular program, there is a need to have a try-out or field testing. This process will gather empirical data to support whether the material or the curriculum is useful, relevant, reliable and valid.

Curriculum Monitoring Monitoring is a periodic assessment and adjustment during the try-out period. It is like formative evaluation.

Curriculum Evaluation Curriculum evaluation as part of total educational evaluation refers to a systematic process of judging the value, effectiveness and adequacy of a curriculum. Evaluation should be useful and systematic. The information gathered should be important for the improvement of and for final judgment of the curriculum being evaluated.

In practice, there are two ways of curriculum evaluation 1. School-based evaluation 2. Accreditation

School-Based Evaluation - is an approach to curriculum evaluation which places the content, design, operation and maintenance of evaluation procedure in the hands of the school personnel. The school personnel participate in the planning and conduct of school evaluation where the control and management of the process rest on the school personnel themselves.

Accreditation This is a voluntary process of submitting a curricular program to an external accrediting body for review in any level of education: basic, tertiary or graduate school to assure standard. Accreditation studies the statement of the educational intentions of the school and affirms a standard of excellence.

Areas of Accreditation under Curriculum and Instruction 1. Curriculum and Program Studies 2. Classroom Management 3. Instructional Processes or Methodologies 4. Graduation Requirements 5. Administrative Support for Effective Instruction 6. Evaluation of Academic Performance of Students

Curriculum and Program of Studies Program of studies includes the clusters of knowledge, skills, attitudes, values and experiences that will provide the students at any level with the necessary competencies for effective learning. A list of subjects or courses to be taken and arrange in logical order compose the program of studies.

Classroom Management The teacher who implements the curriculum sees to it that management of teaching and learning in the classroom follows procedure and guidance to enhance and create an environment conducive to learning. An environment conducive to learning considers the physical as well as the human factors.

Instructional Processes or Methodologies The decision of choosing and using the method of teaching is a crucial factor in curriculum and instruction. There are varied methodologies that are compatible with the different learning style of the students. These emerging strategies of teaching follow principles and theories that enhance learning outcomes.

Graduation Requirements Graduation means successful accomplishment of the curricular program of studies. A student has to accomplish its academic program as prescribed in the program of studies. These requirements are clearly understood upon enrollment in college by the students and by the parents for students in the elementary or high school. The grade requirements of each subjects should be known.

Administrative Support for Effective Instruction

A curriculum can be best implemented if there is support of the school administration.

Evaluation of Academic Performance Of Students In curriculum, it is necessary that learning outcomes be evaluated. After all the best measure of a curriculum is the learning outcome of the students. The evaluation of students performance should make use of valid and reliable tools which are periodically reviewed and revised.