CATHOLIC CURRICULUM WITHIN SASKATCHEWAN'S CORE CURRICULUM

Educators in Saskatchewan's Catholic Schools have a double challenge. Not only do they ensure that the Catholic faith permeates all curricula, but they also ensure the actualization of our core curriculum. The term "actualization" refers to effective implementation and ongoing renewal of Core Curriculum. It is a term that takes into account activities at all levels of the education system that are aimed at making Core Curriculum a reality in Saskatchewan classrooms. Core Curriculum actualization is a means of honouring our commitment to providing a high quality, appropriate, and relevant education for each Saskatchewan child. The faith context of each Catholic school community should be respected in the delivery and renewal of a consistent Core Curriculum throughout the province.

Following is a review of the principles of Saskatchewan's Core Curriculum taken from Core Curriculum: Principles, Time Allocations, and Credit Policy, Saskatchewan Education, September, 2000.

PRINCIPLES OF CORE CURRICULUM

Core Curriculum is intended to provide all Saskatchewan students with an education that will serve them well regardless of their choices after leaving school. It reinforces the teaching of basic skills and introduces an expanded range of new knowledge and skills to the curriculum.

The two major components of Core Curriculum are the Required Areas of Study and the Common Essential Learnings. Seven Required Areas of Study form the framework of the curriculum. Six categories of Common Essential Learnings are to be incorporated in an appropriate manner into all courses of study offered in Saskatchewan schools. Although Core Curriculum specifies Required Areas of Study for all students, opportunities for choice or electives increase as students move through the K to 12 continuum.

To meet community and student needs at the local level, provision is made within Core Curriculum to offer Locally-determined Options. Such options can be provided through the selection of provincially-developed courses or through courses developed at the local level. In recognition of the diverse needs of students, provision is made through the Adaptive Dimension for teachers to adapt instruction.

Required Areas of Study

The seven Required Areas of Study within the Core Curriculum are language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, health education, arts education, and physical education. Each required areas has unique knowledge, skills, and values that are essential for all students at the elementary, middle, and secondary levels. Therefore, the Required Areas of Study are included throughout the school program from the elementary to secondary levels.

Common Essential Learnings

The six Common Essential Learnings within the Core Curriculum are communication, numeracy, critical and creative thinking, technological literacy, personal and social values and skills, and independent learning. The Common Essential Learnings are six interrelated areas containing knowledge, skills, attitudes, and abilities that are important for learning in all school subjects. New Core Curriculum guides include instructional objectives, materials, methods, and suggestions for incorporating the Common Essential Learnings into each area of study.

Locally-determined Options

The Core Curriculum makes provisions in the K to 12 school program for Locally-determined Options, to gain time for local or community program priorities.

Adaptive Dimension

In order to meet the variety of students’ needs, flexibility is required within the school program to enable schools and teachers to adapt instructional materials, methods, and environment to provide the most appropriate educational opportunities for students.

The Adaptive Dimension is used to:
       -  help students achieve the objectives of the course
       -  maximize student learning and independence
       -  lessen discrepancies between achievement and ability
       -  promote a positive self-image and feeling of belonging
       -  promote a willingness to become involved in learning

These purposes address a primary function of the school, that of helping students to maximize their potentials as independent learners.

Resource-based Learning

Resource-based Learning involves use of a wide array of print, non-print, new media, and human resources to assist students in learning. It offers students opportunities to choose, to explore, and to discover from a variety of resources both within and outside of their community. Resource-based Learning is a means by which teachers can greatly assist students to develop attitudes and abilities for independent, lifelong learning.

Aboriginal Content and Perspectives

The inclusion of Aboriginal Content and Perspectives benefits all students. Culturally relevant curriculum and resources foster meaningful learning experiences for all students, promote an appreciation of Canada’s cultural mosaic, and support universal human rights.

Gender Equity

In order to reach the goal of Gender Equity in the K to 12 system, Saskatchewan Education is committed to efforts to bring about the elimination of gender bias which restricts the participation and choices of students. Expectations based primarily on gender limit students’ ability to develop their full potential. Both girls and boys need encouragement to explore a wide variety of options based on aptitudes, abilities, and interest, rather than on gender.

Instruction and Evaluation

The components and initiatives of Core Curriculum find expression, interpretation, and implementation through instructional practice. For this reason, a range of instructional approaches and evaluation techniques is required if teachers are to meet the objectives of Core Curriculum and the instructional needs of students.

Multicultural Education

Multicultural Education is an interdisciplinary educational process that fosters understanding, acceptance, empathy, and constructive and harmonious relations among people of various cultures. It encourages learners of all ages to view different cultures as a source of learning and enrichment.

Special Education

Special Education services and programming provide children and youth with exceptional needs with the support they require to access the benefits of Core Curriculum. Some students require adaptations in materials and different instructional strategies to achieve the foundational objectives of the regular program. Other students require qualitatively different and individualized programs to achieve their potential.

Saskatchewan and Canadian Content

Students in Saskatchewan schools benefit greatly from using resources which reflect their own experiences. One way to increase the likelihood that resources reflect their experiences is to use resources from Saskatchewan and Canada. While a vast number of educational resources come from the United States of America, Saskatchewan and Canadian resources should be searched out and given priority usage whenever possible.