The Curriculum Development Process: An Overview of the Educational System in Ecuador

Resumen

The conceptual framework of the study is based on a brief overview of the history of curriculum in the educational system in Ecuador over the years, and a general outline for providing guidelines and specifications in the curriculum development process. During the last century and until the present date, there have been several important curricular changes that have impacted the educational system, but none of these changes have occurred in primary level of education. It is also shown the lack of a standard curricular design for the teaching of English as a foreign language in Ecuadorian public schools. The study aims to understand the process of determining to what extent the educational objectives are being recognized by the curriculum and associated guidelines. Finally, this outline provides the necessary steps for the curriculum development process in a public school: selecting the model, establishing educational aims and needs, creating curriculum goals and objectives, organizing and implementing the Curriculum, stating instructional goals and objectives, and selecting and implementing strategies. However, to formulate objectives can generate much limitation on the activities that can be applied as a way to achieve those stated goals. So, the most important is to discuss about how to make informed decisions and to reflect upon curriculum in Basic General Education in Ecuadorian schools.