Teachers' and students' attitudes about the proposed co-ordinated science curriculum

Abstract

The aim of this research is to find the attitudes about the new Co-ordinated Science suggested in the National Minimum Curriculum. Over 250 students coming from Area Secondary, Junior Lyceums and church school were questioned to find their attitudes towards Co-ordinated Science and if their preference is either towards Physics or towards a general Science. The questions were analysed by using standard deviation and t-test to check if their response is significant or not. Most students prefer Co-ordinated Science and more boys favour more physics than girls. Over 50 teachers coming from Area Secondary, Junior Lyceum and Church School were questioned to know their awareness on Co-ordinated Science and if they accept the conditions proposed by the Working Group. The questions were analysed by using the chi square value to know if the results are significant. Most teachers do not like the idea of Co ordinated Science in an integrated approach but as a modular approach. This has been confirmed by teachers currently teaching it in England, where the researcher asked teachers in England where they prefer to teach it in a modular approach due to ownership of the subject. Thirteen science teachers were interviewed to understand their opinions and the drawbacks of the proposed Co-ordinated Science. Observations of the Focus Group were done for two consecutive months to analyse if decisions are held in a democratic way and to understand what is happening at local level.