Evaluation and Provision of an Optimal Model of Semi-Centralized Curriculum in Accordance with National Curriculum of First Period of High School in Iran

Abstract

Abstract. The purpose of this study is to provide an optimal model for semi-centralized curriculum in accordance with the national curriculum of the first period of high school in Iran and its evaluation from the perspective of the curriculum experts and related teachers and presentation of recommendations in relation to semi-centralized curriculum to improve the national curriculum. Research methodology, is applied and this study is an evaluative study. The researcher has used field in order to conduct the study. Statistical population studied in this research consists of two groups: (1) 79 people from faculty members and third semester students studying curriculum planning in universities of Tehran, including Kharazmi University, Tarbiat Modarres University, Shahid Beheshti University, Allameh Tabatabaei University, Shahid Rajai University, Tehran University and Islamic Azad University, Research and Sciences Branch 2- first period of high school teachers of Baharestan with job titles including teachers, deputies and assistants with a bachelor's degree, master's degree and Ph.D students who were 466 subjects. In the present study, three hypotheses were tested, all of which were rejected in this study. The data collection tools included a researcher made questionnaire, and this questionnaire consisted of 36 questions with five options (Likert range). To check the validity of the questionnaire the opinions of advisor and supervisor professors were used who confirmed the face and content validity. To obtain reliability coefficient the questionnaire was conducted in a smaller statistical population and its reliability was estimated to be 0.96 using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. In general, Data Analysis showed the sameness of the opinion distribution of the experts (professors and Ph.D students studying curriculum planning) and teachers to use the semi-centralized curriculum model to explain the semi-centralized curriculum component in accordance with National Curriculum of first period of high school in Iran which was at the average level or higher than the average. Curriculum can be developed both by internal factors such as available forces in the schools, local areas or regions and external factors such centers central institutions in the country. The results of this study are a strategy to develop decentralization in the national curriculum planning.