A national curriculum is a common programme of study in schools that is designed to ensure nationwide uniformity of content and standards in education. It is usually legislated by the national government, possibly in consultation with state or other regional authorities.

National curriculum assessment generally means testing of students as to whether they meet the national standards.

Notable national curricula are:

The United States notably does not have one. The establishment of a national curriculum was explicitly banned in 1965, in Section 604 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (since moved to Section 2302 and codified at 20 U.S.C. § 6692). This act provided federal funding for primary and secondary education ('Title I funding') as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty.[2] However, most states in the United States voluntarily abide by the Common Core State Standards Initiative, which provides certain uniform standards. See Education in the United States.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ ACARA: Australian curriculum Archived 2015-10-19 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 forbids federally determined curricula." Hoover Institution – Daily Report Archives – Secretary Riley Reignites the Math Wars Archived 2012-08-01 at archive.today