ALIGNMENT BETWEEN CHEMISTRY CURRICULUM AND TEXTBOOKS AT SECONDARY LEVEL

Abstract

This study was conducted to identify the degree to which the objectives of secondary level national curriculum (2006) of chemistry were aligned with the textbooks in Pakistan. The qualitative study was conducted by reviewing the national curriculum and the chemistry textbooks for grade 9 and 10 so as to find the degree of alignment. The analysis was done using two instruments after literature review: a) Curriculum-Textbook Alignment Rubric (CTAR); and b) Curriculum-Textbook Alignment Checklist (CTAC). The instruments were developed by the researchers and validated through experts’ opinion. The instruments contained chapter-wise analysis besides other aspects such as physical features, typography, content organization, assessment exercises etc. The outcomes of the study revealed that there were some gaps between curriculum and textbooks. The specific objectives of some of the units/chapters were partially aligned with its general objectives. The study lays great implications in the sense that it provides feedback to curriculum developers and textbook authors to consider alignment between objectives and contents, and between contents and assessment exercises. The study suggests adequate training for the curriculum and textbook developers to ensure alignment between national curriculum and textbook in the subject of chemistry.