4 Sociological and Political Issues That Affect Curriculum
4 Sociological and Political Issues That Affect Curriculum
“For learning to be effective as a vehicle for ferrying the concerns espoused by the curriculum as informed by societal consideration and mirrored in individual subject structures, it should follow a learning process which incorporates both the needs of the learner and those of the teacher. . . so that society becomes the ultimate winner.” –Elliott Ziwira
Introduction
The sociological foundation refers to issues from society that have an influence on curriculum. Since the school exists within a given society; and the fact that the ‘products’ of the school, i.e., the ‘graduates’ go back to the society, makes the latter an inevitable determinant of the curriculum. There are many aspects of the society that need consideration in curriculum making. These include:
- changes occurring in societal structures;
- transmission of culture;
- social problems as issues for curriculum and economics issues.
Changes that occur in the wider society and culture have an influence on curriculum.
Essential Questions
- What social problems are affecting curriculum today?
- How have these issues impacted curriculum?
- What was the goal of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS)?
- How are standards and curriculum different?
- How successful have most states in the U.S. been with CCSS?
Social Problems as Issues in Curriculum
From Curriculum Studies, p. 62
Every society battles with certain issues that have an influence on curriculum. These include:
- equality and equity issues such as class systems in society:
- racial or ethnic issues;
- gender issues of access to education and equality of opportunity;
- factors that affect equality of opportunity:
- financing of education,
- fees payments, and
- distances to schools;
- crime, delinquency, and security issues: the curriculum would need to focus on:
- knowledge,
- fairness, and
- avoidance of the issues raised;
- health issues: health challenges in many parts of the world currently include:
- challenges, including HIV/Aids;
- drug abuse;
- pollution, and other environmental issues;
- family life issues and education.
- economic issues: there is need to incorporate in the curriculum knowledge, skills, and attitudes that would facilitate economic growth at a personal and national level.
Political Dimension of Curriculum
It is important to acknowledge that education is essentially a political activity. The political climate prevailing in a state or country is very important in determining the type of schooling and curriculum for the young.
Education also has a political function in that it promotes ideologies which influence the power structure within society. It is noteworthy also that political forces, the most powerful of which are associated with the government of the time, are responsible for allocation of resources that are necessary to support a curriculum. Hence, the need to take the politicians views into consideration in curriculum planning. In addition, a