Progress of Students through the Science Curriculum: Phase 1-A Focus on Chemistry
This research examined the implementation of the spiral curriculum structure introduced in the Philippines as part of the K-12 curriculum reform. The curriculum emphasizes the understanding and application of scientific knowledge, learning scientific inquiry skills, and developing and demonstrating scientific attitudes and beliefs. The spiral curriculum was initiated with Grade 7 implementation in school year 2011/12. By the end of the 2015/16 school year, this cohort of students was the first to have completed the full 7 – 10 new curriculum.
Due to the recent nature of the reform, how its characteristics and design have influenced outcomes is yet unknown. Relevant questions include:
- How is the curriculum implemented by teachers?
- Does the teacher’s specialisation influence student outcomes?
- How do other factors such as teacher training, experience, student access to materials, and school size influence student outcomes?
- How do the students skills progress as they complete the curriculum?
- Is spiraling handled differently across year levels?
This research was designed to investigate the progress of students’ skills for each unit of Chemistry over the four years of the junior secondary curriculum. Identification of progress was achieved by assessing students as they progressed from Grade 7 to Grade 10. Data representing factors presumed to influence student learning outcomes included teacher information, lesson plans, and classroom observations of selected classes. ACTRC worked closely with the Philippines Department of Education on this study to inform the implementation of the spiral curriculum and teaching of science in the Philippines.
Project Team
Dr Marlene Ferido, Lead, University of the Philippines
Joesal Marabe, University of the Philippines
Lalaine Bagui, University of the Philippines
Pam Robertson, University of Melbourne
Dr Esther Care, University of Melbourne
Dennis Danipog, University of Melbourne
Rachel Ramirez, University of the Philippines
Masa Pavlovic, University of Melbourne
Dr Susan-Marie Harding, University of Melbourne
Resources
Ferido, M., Robertson, P., Care, E., Pavlovic, M., & Harding, S. (2015). Progress of students through the science curriculum: focus on chemistry. Stage 1 Pre-Grade 7 Report. Report prepared for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Philippine Department of Education. Melbourne and Manila: Assessment Curriculum and Technology Research Centre (ACTRC).
Ferido, M., Robertson, P., Pavlovic, M., & Care, E. (2016). Progress of students through the science curriculum: focus on chemistry. Stage 2 Pre-Grade 8 report. Report prepared for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Philippine Department of Education. Melbourne and Manila: Assessment Curriculum and Technology Research Centre (ACTRC).
Ferido, M., Marabe, J., Pavlovic, M., Bagui, L., Robertson, P., Ramirez, R., Bustos, T., & Care, E. (2017). Progress of students through the science curriculum: A focus on matter (chemistry). Stage 3 Pre-Grade 9 report. Report prepared for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Philippine Department of Education. Melbourne and Manila: Assessment Curriculum and Technology Research Centre (ACTRC).
Ferido, M., Robertson, P., Pavlovic, M., & Care, E. (2017). Progress of students through the science curriculum: A focus on matter (chemistry). Stage 4 Pre-Grade 10 report. Report prepared for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Philippine Department of Education. Melbourne and Manila: Assessment Curriculum and Technology Research Centre (ACTRC).