Challenges to the Implementation of the Common Core Programme JHS English Curriculum: A Case of Tumu Municipality

Authors

  • Rahinatu Dauda Kanluoru Department of Languages, Savanna College of Education, Ghana.
  • James Zinteng Department of Languages, McCoy College of Education, Nadowli, Ghana.
  • Paul Gbolo Ni Ana Department of Languages, St Vincent College of Education, Yendi, Ghana.
  • Miftawu Fuseini Department of Languages, Gambaga College of Education, Gambaga, Ghana.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48165/ijrse.2024.4.2.1

Keywords:

Challenges, Implementation, Common core curriculum, Pedagogical concerns, Educational system

Abstract

The research was conducted in the Tumu Municipality. The study looked into the concerns teachers had regarding the JHS Common Core Programme (CCP). Government training sessions for Junior High School (JHS) teachers on the common core programme English language curriculum (CCPEC) were criticized for lacking the instructional resources and friendly environment needed for a successful rollout. The study used a descriptive research design and a quantitative approach to gather information from English language teachers and head teachers in public Junior High Schools' (JHSs). The results of the study show that teachers had difficulties when putting the Common Core Programme into practice. They expressed interest in useful evaluation techniques, realizing the importance of assessing students' skills outside of the box. The study highlights the value of monitoring and assessment even in the face of budgetary limitations. In conclusion, addressing these issues requires fostering a collaborative school culture to ensure the successful implementation of the Common Core Programme English curriculum in Ghana. The study suggests the conduct of a longitudinal study to examine the long-term effect of the implementation of the Common Core Programme JHS English curriculum. 

 

References

Abell, S. K., & Bryan, L. A. (1997). Reconceptualizing the elementary teacher education course in science instruction. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 8(3), 175-185.

Aboagye, E. R., & Yawson, A. E. (2020). Factors influencing teachers’ implementation of the new standards-based curriculum in the Effutu Municipality in Ghana. Journal of Education and Practice, 11(21), 64-73.

Adentwi, K. I., & Sarfo, F. K. (2011). Challenges associated with the implementation of educational reforms in Ghana: The case of the senior high school educational reforms. Journal of Educational and Social Research, 1(3), 1-12.

Adu-Gyamfi, S., Donkoh, W. J., & Adinkrah, A. A. (2016), Educational Reforms in Ghana: Past and Present. Journal of Education and Human Development, 5(3) 158-172.

Adu-Gyamfi, K. (2019). Challenges to the Implementation of a New Curriculum in Ghana: The Case of the Common Core Programme. Journal of Education and Practice, 10(35), 108-115.

Agina-Obu, C. N. (2005). Effective utilization of instructional resources and the teaching of Christian Religious Knowledge in secondary schools. In P. A. Igun (Ed.), Issues in educational planning and administration in Nigeria (pp. 160-168). Nigerian Association for Educational Administration and Planning.

Akinade, E. A., & Owolabi, O. I. (2009). Research Methods and Procedures. Lagos, Nigeria: Elite International.

Akyeampong, K., Hewitt, D., & Glennerster, R. (2021). Teacher management in sub-Saharan Africa: A synthesis. Comparative Education, 57(1), 1-23.

Ani-Boi, L. S. (2009). Assessing teachers' concerns and attitudes towards the 2007 educational reform in Ghana (Doctoral dissertation, University of Cape Coast).

Ankomah, E. K., & Kwarteng, K. A. (2010). Teacher concerns and attitude towards the implementation of the educational reform in Ghana. International Journal of Educational Research, 2(1), 11-22.

Apau, J. A. (2021). Teachers’ concerns with the implementation of the standards-based curriculum in the Agona East District of Ghana. Journal of Educational Innovations, 6(1), 34-47.

Avwokeni, J. O. (2006). Methodology in Research. In G. O. A. Ocho (Ed.), Introduction to Educational Research. Imo State, Nigeria: Avco Educational Books.

Bell, L. (2015). Investigating the strengths and weaknesses of an English grammar curriculum: A case study. The Reading Matrix, 15(2), 196-208.

Borko, H., Koellner, K., & Jacobs, J. (2014). Examining novice teachers' learning to enact ambitious instruction for students of diverse backgrounds. Journal of Teacher Education, 65(2), 90-107.

Burns, N., & Grove, S. K. (2003). The practice of nursing research: Conduct, critique, and utilization. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Causarano, P. J. (2015). The influence of a self-reflective professional development model on elementary teacher beliefs and instructional practices. Journal of Education and Human Development, 4(2), 213-221.

Cobbold, F. K. A., & Ani-Boi, L. S. (2011). Teacher concerns and attitudes towards the implementation of the 2007 educational reform in Ghana. International Journal of Education Administration and Policy Studies, 3(5), 73-79.

Coburn, C. E. (2018). Rethinking scale: Moving beyond numbers to deep and lasting change. Educational researcher, 47(6), 388-393.

Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. SAGE Publications.

Creswell, J. W. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage publications.

Darling-Hammond, L., & Adamson, F. (2010). Beyond basic skills: The role of performance assessment in achieving 21st-century standards of learning. Stanford, CA: Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education.

Darling-Hammond, L., Hyler, M. E., & Gardner, M. (2017). Effective teacher professional development. Learning Policy Institute.

Davenport, C., & Istance, D. (2015). Professional development for innovative school systems. Educational Research and Innovation, OECD Publishing.

Donovan, L., Green, T., & Mason, C. (2014). Examining the 21st century classroom:

Fadeiye, O. (2005). Effective utilization of instructional materials in enhancing the learning of integrated science in secondary schools. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 12(1), 85-92.

Fullan, M. (2016). The NEW meaning of educational change. Teachers College Press.

Hall, G. E., & Hord, S. M. (2015). Implementing change: Patterns, principles, and potholes (4th ed.). Pearson.

Hattie, J., & Timperley, H. (2007). The power of feedback. Review of Educational Research, 77(1), 81-112.

Hess, F. M. (2011). Common core conundrum: Can seventy-five percent of standards be wrong? National Affairs, 9, 49-56.

Johnson, K. E., Mercado, L., Lee, J. J., & Mun, J. (2021). Preparing and supporting teachers for curriculum change in challenging contexts. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 53(5), 629-650.

Johnson, L., & Smith, K. (2021). Socio-emotional readiness and student adaptability in Common Core classrooms. Journal of Educational Research, 55(4), 450-468.

Johnson, S. M., & Smith, T. M. (2019). Leading change in school systems: How to conquer the crisis of change. Harvard Education Press.

Kwarteng, K. A. (2009). The impact of educational reform in Ghana: A case study of accounting teachers' concerns. International Journal of Educational Research, 1(2), 15-24.

Kwarteng, K. A. (2016). Tracking teacher concerns on educational reform in Ghana using the Concerns-Based Adoption Model. Research in Education, 96(1), 77-95.

Lambert, R. G., Velez, L. M., & Elliot, M. (2014). Challenges, supports, and effective pedagogy for beginning English teachers in middle schools: A qualitative case study. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas, 87(2), 79-88.

Lee, J., Thompson, E., & Brown, A. (2020). Time Constraints and Interactive Teaching Practices in the Common Core English Classroom. Journal of Curriculum and Instruction, 32(4), 278-295.

Lewin's Three-Step Model: Lewin, K. (1947). Frontiers in group dynamics: Concept, method, and reality in social science; social equilibria and social change. Human Relations, 1(1), 5-41.

Loveless, T. (2012). The Common Core may be tough to love, but it's hardly a revolution. Brown Center Chalkboard. Retrieved from https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2012/11/13/the-common-core-may-be-tough-to-love-but-its-hardly-a-revolution/

McLaughlin, M. W. (1987). Learning from experience: Lessons from policy implementation. Educational evaluation and policy analysis, 9(2), 171-178.

McNeil, L. M., & Valenzuela, A. (2001). The harmful impact of the TAAS system of testing in Texas: Beneath the accountability rhetoric. Harvard Educational Review, 71(2), 235-268.

Mpuangnan, L., & Adusei, J. (2021). The concerns of public basic school teachers on the implementation of the standard-based curriculum in Ghana. International Journal of Applied Education Studies, 1(1), 68-79.

NaCCA; MoE (2019) New Standards-Based Curriculum

NaCCA; MoE (2020) English Language Curriculum for Basic 7 – 10 (Common Core Programme)

Ndirangu, M. N. (2017). Factors influencing the successful implementation of a science education curriculum in Kenya. Journal of Education and Practice, 8(5), 147-158.

Ndirangu, M. N. (2017). Teachers’ concerns during a curriculum change process in Kenya: A cross-sectional survey. Journal of Education and Practice, 8(24), 37-42.

Oloruntegbe, K. O., Adeleke, A. O., & Ayeni, A. J. (2010). Designing and developing the school curriculum: Teachers’ role, ownership and the effectiveness of their contributions. Studies on Ethno-Medicine, 4(1), 53-57.

Pellegrino, J. W., Chudowsky, N., & Glaser, R. (Eds.). (2001). Knowing what students know: The science and design of educational assessment. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.

Popham, W. J. (2008). Transformative assessment. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

Ramnarain, U., & Hlatswayo, P. C. (2018). Addressing curriculum change in higher education: Faculty role perceptions and change adoption in a developing country. Studies in Higher Education, 43(8), 1356-1371.

Richardson, V. (1990). Significant and worthwhile change in teaching practice. Educational researcher, 19(7), 10-18.

Saloviita, T. (2020). Teachers' sense of responsibility for curriculum design: Implications for pedagogical leadership. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 52(1), 1-16.

Spillane, J. P., Reiser, B. J., & Reimer, T. (2022). Taking educational change seriously: Perspectives on policy, practice, and research. Teachers College Press.

The ADKAR Model: Hiatt, J. M. (2006). ADKAR: A model for change in business, government, and our community. Prosci.

Wang, J., & Odell, S. J. (2020). Unfreezing teacher learning to advance education change. Educational Policy, 34(2), 242-278.

Van den Berg, R., & Ros, A. (1999). The concerns-based adoption model: An empirical evaluation. Issues in Educational Research, 9(1), 55-72.

World Bank. (2004). Education sector report: The challenges of basic education in Ghana. World Bank.

Published

2024-05-04

How to Cite

Kanluoru, R.D., Zinteng, J., Ana, P.G.N., & Fuseini, M. (2024). Challenges to the Implementation of the Common Core Programme JHS English Curriculum: A Case of Tumu Municipality . International Journal of Rehabilitation and Special Education (IJRSE) , 4(2), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.48165/ijrse.2024.4.2.1