Pilot Testing, Monitoring and Evaluating the Implementation of the Curriculum

In the implementation of the curriculum, there are processes needed after it has been written and before it is accepted for final implementation. Pilot testing or field try out is one of the common practices of curriculum makers to determine the strength and the weaknesses of a written or planned curriculum. Likewise monitoring and evaluation of the curriculum are also important in the implementation.

Pilot Testing or Field Try-out

Whenever a curriculum is written as in books, modules, etc. or the whole curricular program, there is a need to have a try-out or field testing. This process will gather empirical data to support whether the material or the curriculum is useful, relevant, reliable and valid.

Modification and revision are inherent characteristics of a curriculum. The pilot test or try-out is a developmental process that gives the signal as to whether the particular curriculum can already be implemented with confidence.

However, as the curriculum is implemented, there is a need to continuously monitor the process.

Curriculum MonitoringMonitoring ask the question: How

are we doing? Is the curriculum accomplishing its intended purpose?

Monitoring is also important:• To determine if the curriculum is still

relevant and effective• How the curriculum is working• Provides decision on what aspects have

to be retained, improved or modified• Provides decision that would even end or

terminate the program

Curriculum Evaluation

Curriculum evaluation as part of total educational evaluation refers to a systematic process of judging the value, effectiveness and adequacy of a curriculum: its process, product and setting which will lead to informed decision. Evaluation should be useful and systematic. The information gathered should be important for the improvement of and for final judgment of the curriculum being evaluated.

In practice, there are two ways of curriculum evaluation

1. School-based evaluation2. Accreditation

1. School-based Evaluation

- is an approach to curriculum evaluation which places the content, design, operation and maintenance of evaluation procedure in the hands of the school personnel. The school personnel participate in the planning and conduct of school evaluation where the control and management of the process rest on the school personnel themselves.

Accreditation

This is a voluntary process of submitting a curricular program to an external accrediting body for review in any level of education: basic, tertiary or graduate school to assure standard. Accreditation studies the statement of the educational intentions of the school and affirms a standard of excellence.

Among the many purposes of accreditation are to foster excellence and improve programs. The curricular accreditation will assure the academic community, other agencies and the general public that curriculum meets standards comparable to other excellent institutions offering similar programs.

Usually there are ten areas for program accreditation one of which is curriculum and instruction

What are the areas of accreditation under Curriculum and Instruction?

1. Curriculum and Program Studies2. Classroom Management3. Instructional Processes or Methodologies4. Graduation Requirements5. Administrative Support for Effective Instruction6. Evaluation of Academic Performance of

Students

Curriculum and Program of Studies

Program of studies includes the clusters of knowledge, skills, attitudes, values and experiences that will provide the students at any level with the necessary competencies for effective learning. A list of subjects or courses to be taken and arrange in logical order compose the program of studies.

2. Classroom Manangement

For effective instruction, the use of appropriate classroom management is suggested. The teacher who implements the curriculum sees to it that management of teaching and learning in the classroom follows procedure and guidance to enhance and create an environment conducive to learning. An environment conducive to learning considers the physical as well as the human factors.

3. Instructional Processes or Methodologies

The decision of choosing and using the method of teaching is a crucial factor in curriculum and instruction. There are varied methodologies that are compatible with the different learning style of the students. These emerging strategies of teaching follow principles and theories that enhance learning outcomes. As teachers, there is a need to know not only the steps or strategies of teaching but to understand the pedagogical content knowledge of each strategy.

4. Graduation Requirements

Graduation means successful accomplishment of the curricular program of studies. A student has to accomplish its academic program as prescribed in the program of studies. These requirements are clearly understood upon enrollment in college by the students and by the parents for students in the elementary or high school. The grade requirements of each subjects should be known.

5. Administrative Support for effective Instruction

A curriculum can be best implemented if there is support of the school administration.

6. Evaluation of Academic Performance of Students

In curriculum, it is necessary that learning outcomes be evaluated. After all the best measure of a curriculum is the learning outcome of the students.

The evaluation of students’ performance should make use of valid and reliable tools which are periodically reviewed and revised.