Investigation of the coherence of the science instructional program at elementary grade levels. (c2011)

Abstract

An important feature of an instructional program is the alignment of curricular objectives with instructional practices, materials, assessment practices, professional development opportunities, and the role of good leadership. This alignment has been referred to as instructional program coherence.A qualitative study was designed to examine coherence of aspects of the science instructional program at the fourth and fifth elementary grade levels of a Lebanese school.The results of the analysis show that the degree of alignment between the curricular objectives and the various aspects varied.There was good alignment between the curricular objectives and instructional practices, good alignment between curricular objectives and assessment practices, good alignment between curricular objectives and professional development activities, but partial alignment between curricular objectives and instructional materials.In closing, recommendations are discussed for school leaders and educators to follow and build a coherentscience instructional program.