A NATIONALCURRICULUM: COMPETITION, ADVANCES AND RETREATS

Abstract

This paper is an outcome of a study on National Science Curriculum (NSC) in Australia.
This paper centres around the experts’ views on the scenarios of future science curriculum.
The data were gathered through interviews with five leaders from different Australian
states. The data were analysed following the process of qualitative data analysis outlined by
McMillan and Schumacher (2006) involving selecting text extracts, identifying patterns,
themes and key concepts, coding and categorisation, code testing against interpretation
and constant comparison. The analysis is further checked by a research assistant. It will be
shown that experts agree on the strengths and weaknesses of the curriculum. The results
show that there are two very different scenarios that seem possible. One emphasises state
independence, standardisation, compliance and control. The other emphasises trust in
teacher professionalism and knowledge exchange.
Key words: National Science Curriculum, scenarios of future science curriculum