Lj. Rennie et Lh. Parker, CURRICULUM REFORM AND CHOICE OF SCIENCE - CONSEQUENCES FOR BALANCED AND EQUITABLE PARTICIPATION AND ACHIEVEMENT, Journal of research in science teaching, 30(9), 1993, pp. 1017-1028
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.''