Critically discuss the details of National Curriculum
Critically discuss the details of National Curriculum.Assessment task for introduction to key concepts of education.Write a 1500 word essay that shows your understanding of the key concepts as discussed during the autumn term of the module ‘introduction to key concepts of education’ classes.The following are the key concepts we have been studying during the autumn term:
Curriculum
Equality
Choose one of the essay titles shown below. Each title focuses on a recent educational policy or initiative. Summarise briefly what the policy is about. Present an argument to discuss the meaning of the policy in order to show your understanding of one or more of the key concepts of education we have studied during the autumn term.You should draw from a variety of literature when making your argument. Principally you should refer to academic literature but you might also wish to mention other sources (e.g. media reports; politicians’ statements; ‘grey’ literature, i.e., policy documents, journal articles etc.)
As a guideline, you should use approximately 6 or more references for an essay of this nature and length. Please make sure you reference appropriately and accurately according to the APA style guide.
You will be assessed using the stage 1 degree class descriptors (assessment criteria) as outlined in the online Assessment and Feedback section of the online student handbook. Your review should not be a simple descriptive account but rather demonstrate your capacity to analyse.
Guidance notes
The following is intended to be of some help as you develop your assignment.Please remember that you have a good deal of flexibility in the development of your argument.
There are 2 key things to focus on: you must adhere to the general guidelines used by the department (referencing; assessment criteria; not submitting very similar pieces of work for different assignments etc.); you must show your understanding of one or both of the key concepts that we have explored during the autumn term.
Choose either
- ‘Should we have a National Curriculum?’ You could have an introduction in which you explain what you will argue and how you will make that argument. You could have a context section in which you explain the meaning of ‘curriculum’ and describe the current National Curriculum that applies in England. You could then draw attention to issues about its value (there would be several things that you could discuss to support your argument – does it allow for all to have equal access to knowledge; is it useful for particular groups (e.g. employers, parents etc.); is it managed efficiently etc.; you could refer to particular school subjects, if you wish. You should write a conclusion in which you summarize your argument and perhaps suggest the need for further research or policy development or something else.
OR
- ‘Does recent legislation and official guidance facilitate the achievement of equality in education in England?’ You should have an introduction in which you explain what you will argue and how you will make that argument. You should have a context section in which you explain the meaning of equality and in which you provide a brief overview of recent legislation and guidance. You should then have sections in which you develop your argument through discussion of key issues and by reference to relevant legislation and official guidance (e.g., the Index for Inclusion (2002) – guidance for schools; Equality Act (2010) – see guidance for schools; the Education Act (2011) – Equalities Impact Assessment; Educating Children with Health Needs (2013); Feeling safe, keeping safe (2013). These publications are all freely available on the gov.uk website, and many have useful executive summaries). You should have a conclusion in which you provide a summary and perhaps suggest what additional work is needed.
OR
- ‘Is curriculum developed and implemented in ways that support equality?’ You should have an introduction in which you explain what you will argue and how you will make that argument. You should have a context section in which you explain the meaning of equality and curriculum and the context for your answer (i.e., place, schooling phase – primary/secondary/tertiary – and time-period). You should discuss key issues using relevant literature. You should write a conclusion in which you summarise your argument and perhaps suggest what additional work is needed.
More guidance on the structure of your assignment
Again, there is a great deal of flexibility but one possible approach is shown below:
Introduction – briefly explain: what your paper focuses on; what you argue; how you make that argument. The important thing is to make sure that your work has a clear conceptual focus (200 words)
Background/context – include relevant information about the issue or policy that you will review. (500 words)
Key issues: using evidence and showing your understanding of a key concept develop a critical review of your chosen policy/issue. Please remember we are looking for an explicit demonstration of conceptual understanding rather than just a descriptive account of the initiative or an opinionated review in which you outline a simple account of what you do or do not like. Relate your argument to particular context(s). Support your argument by referring to ideas and/or to data. Show awareness of the limitations of your own position by referring to the perspectives of those who do not agree with you. Provide a clear, coherent and consistently argued essay. (650 words)
Conclusion: summarize your argument and refer to something else that needs to be done (e.g. more research). (150 words)
Answer preview:
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