Formal Curriculum

The formal curriculum is designed as a framework for instructional planning that outlines broad goals and strategies to reach them. The foundations of the formal curriculum are based on publicly valued intellectual, social, cultural, political, and economic funds of knowledge. Knowledge, skills, and understandings that have educational value to the individual and society are included. Often a school district's formal curriculum is based on the state's curriculum frameworks. Learner-centered goals rather than teaching-centered goals are the hallmark of 21st-century curriculum. Typically, this curriculum comprises high expectations to challenge the students and be competitive with the international educational community. The formal curriculum is readily available in written documents and/or displayed on Web sites. It may also be referred to as the planned curriculum, written curriculum, or ...