ABSTRACT
Curriculum development, as a word and a concept, is an integral part of education
systems, used with varying connotations and interpretations. Curriculum can be defined as a
sequence or series of coursework, within a particular area or content focus. The development of
curriculum becomes a value-laden process of determining what “should” be taught within the
institutions of schools, given the social, cultural, political, and environmental influences upon this
curriculum development process. It is this phenomenon of the curriculum development process for
the perspective of the teachers that was the topic of this study, using a qualitative approach
implemented through interpretivist/constructivist – anthropological paradigmatic assumptions, with
attention also afforded to the critical theory paradigmatic assumptions as well. Consistent with
qualitative methodology, teachers’ perceptions of the curriculum development process were
explored through interviews, participant observations and document analysis.
Teachers’ perceptions of the curriculum development process revealed teachers have
perceptions of technical aspects of the curriculum development process and perceptions of
affective aspects of the curriculum development process. The first two technical aspects of the
curriculum development process are that curriculum development is influenced by external and
internal factors. Third, teachers’ perceive the process to contain elements of negotiation and
deliberation, and is a process that is influenced by and occurs over time. Lastly, the perception
emerged that the curriculum development process includes a series of steps; steps that are not
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always sequential or linear. Collectively, these are the teachers’ perceptions of the technical
aspects of the curriculum development process.
Teachers’ perceptions of the curriculum development process also include affective
aspects. The first aspect entertained the influence of the size of the group engaging in the
curriculum development process. Second, teachers’ perceive themselves as a bridge between
other teachers and state standards. Next, teachers’ perceive the curriculum development process
as a process one could not undertake and accomplish without the group dynamic. Lastly,
engaging in the curriculum development process creates a sense of ownership and investment in
the curriculum developed. These are the affective aspects of teachers’ perceptions of the
curriculum development process that emerged from this study.