Research into Secondary School Curricula in Ireland. European Educational Research Workshop (Valleta, Malta, October 6-9, 1992).

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Research into Secondary School Curricula in Ireland. European Educational Research Workshop (Valleta, Malta, October 6-9, 1992).
Language: English
Authors: Ryan, Sandra, Kellaghan, Thomas, Council for Cultural Cooperation, Strasbourg (France).
Availability: Council of Europe, F-67006, Strasbourg, Cedex, France.
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 7
Publication Date: 1992
Document Type: Collected Works - Proceedings
Descriptors: Academic Achievement, Curriculum Research, Foreign Countries, Secondary Education, Secondary School Curriculum, Vocational Education
Geographic Terms: Ireland
Abstract: This paper discusses school structure and curriculum for secondary schools in Ireland. The document surveys the research that has been conducted. Secondary schools in Ireland are for students between the ages of 12 and 18, with compulsory education for students up to 16 years of age. The three main types of schools are traditional academic secondary schools, vocational schools, and comprehensive community schools. Today all types of school are encouraged to offer comprehensive curricula, although many continue to exhibit their traditional orientations. Curricula are organized on the basis of subjects or disciplines. Schools can choose from about 30 subjects. The most popular courses are English, Irish, mathematics, French, science, history, and geography. For the compulsory levels Ireland is above average for percentage of time allocated to language, about average in time for scientific subjects, technologies, social sciences, and ethics, and below average in allocation of time to artistic subjects and physical education. The survey of curriculum research is divided into three sections. The first, general curriculum, concluded that there is relatively little research on the question of types of curricula that seem most appropriate for secondary students. One survey showed that young people saw basic education as important for working life, but also saw a role for technical vocational subjects. The second section, specific curricula, indicated that research in individual areas has been devoted to mathematics in the context of international studies. The third section reported research findings that education is related to later employment. (DK)
Entry Date: 1994
Accession Number: ED365592
Database: ERIC
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