CURRICULUM REFORM AND CHOICE OF SCIENCE - CONSEQUENCES FOR BALANCED AND EQUITABLE PARTICIPATION AND ACHIEVEMENT

In 1988, most schools in Western Australia adopted a Unit Curriculum s tructure in the first three years of high school, following piloting o f the scheme in seven schools in 1987. The goals of the Unit Curriculu m are stated to be excellence, equity, and relevance. and one of its k ey features is the increased flexibility students have in making their subject selection. This article reviews the science enrollment and ac hievement patterns of males and females studying in the pilot schools in 1987, and for the first three years of the operation of the Unit Cu rriculum in 1988, 1989, and 1990. The data indicate that lowering the age for subject choice is associated with a reduction in the amount of science studies, especially by females, and with the early manifestat ion of sex-stereotyped subject selection. It appears that if early sex stereotyping is to be avoided, then students need to be provided with more structure in their selection of units. This article emphasizes t he need for all involved in system-wide curriculum change to be fully informed of the potential benefits and dangers of curriculum models wh ich allow wide flexibility, especially where curriculum change affects students' ''choice point.''