Evaluation of 8th Grade “Citizenship and Democracy Education” Curriculum

Abstract

Educating individuals respectful to human rights, citizens and sensitive to social problems makes the education of human rights, democracy and citizenship necessary. In this research, evaluating the 8th grade citizenship and democracy education curriculum (2010) is aimed. The research is based on a survey model. The data have been obtained from three public schools and one private school. 102 students in the 8th grade and 101 students in the 7th grade participated in the study in the 2011–2012 academic year. Interviews were conducted with 4 teachers working in these schools and 14 students in the 8th grade. According to the findings of the study, it has been found out that the average point scores gained from the achievement test are very close to each other in the 7th and 8th grades. When the 7th and 8th grade point scores are compared, the results are for the good of in 8th grades in two public schools and in one of them for the good of 7th grades. On the other hand, there were no differences between the 7th and 8th grades in the private school. According to the analysis of the interviews, students have reported on the problems about performance in the courses, courses’ relation with real-life and exams’ not measuring the knowledge and skills. Teachers have reported on the problems about the length, activities’ serving for the aims and curriculum’s guidance to the teachers in terms of measurement and evaluation. It is understood from the examinations and assessments of the experts that the curriculum may be sufficient on the condition that its mistakes and insufficiencies are corrected and if it guides its practitioners throughout the process of implementation.