Module 5: Curriculum as a Curriculum Evaluator
What, Why and How to Evaluate a Curriculum
This module is all about curriculum evaluation in the context of its definition and
the role of the teachers as an evaluator. In this module it will present the ways of
evaluating the curriculum as written, planned or implemented. Curriculum evaluation is
a component of curriculum development that responds to public accountability. It looks
into educational reforms or innovations that happen in the teacher’s classrooms, the
school, district, division or the whole educational system as well. It is establishing the
merit of a curriculum. Merit refers to the value and worth of the curriculum. Curriculum
development are the implied and resulting shifts it has undergone due to changing
cultural, social and political environments. The demands of the society or the
community then, interlaced with global trends and demands, yields a system that is
from what it was before colonization and multicultural integration.
This reactions paper will be acquired clear understanding of what is curriculum
evaluation. Explained the need to evaluate the curriculum and how it’s being done and
expanded knowledge about different curriculum evaluation models. What to evaluate in
the curriculum? According to Ornstein, A. & Hunkin, f. (1998), curriculum evaluation is a
process done in order to gather data that enables one to decide whether to accept,
change, eliminate the whole curriculum of a textbook. According to Oliva, P., (1998), it
is a process of delineating, obtaining and providing useful information for judging
alternatives for purposes of modifying, or eliminating the curriculum. And also, Gay, L.
(1985) stated that, evaluation is to identify the weakness and strength as well as
problems encountered in the implementation, to improve the curriculum development
process. It is to determine the effectiveness of and the returns on allocated finance.
Reasons for curriculum evaluation also identifies the strength and weaknesses of an
existing curriculum that will be the basis of the intended plan, design or
implementation. This is referred to as the need’s assessment. Based on some
standards, curriculum evaluation will guide whether the results have equaled or
exceeded the standards, thus can be labelled as success. This is sometimes called
terminal assessment. And curriculum evaluation provides information necessary for
teachers, school managers, curriculum specialist for policy recommendations that will
enhance achieved learning outcomes. This is the basis of decision making. In curriculum
evaluation, important process was evolved such as: needs assessment, monitoring,
terminal assessment and decision making. Curriculum models by Ralph and Hilda Taba
end with evaluation. Evaluation is a big idea that collectively tell about the value or
worth of something that was done. Curriculum specialist have proposed an array of
models which are useful for classroom teachers and practitioners. Context Evaluation –
assess needs and problems in the context for decision makers to determine the goals
and objectives of the program/curriculum. Input Evaluation – asses alternative means
based on the inputs for the achievement of objectives to help decision makers to
choose options for optimal means. Process Evaluation – monitors the processes both
to ensure that the means are actually being implemented and make necessary
modifications. Product Evaluation – compares actual ends with intended ends and leads
to a series of recycling decisions.