The evaluation of the implementation of primary school standard curriculum: the world of science and technology subject

The curriculum is important in providing quality human capital to meet the challenges of the 21st century. A systematic evaluation needs to be done to obtain information and data relating to curriculum implementation in schools. Hence, the researcher used the Tyler Assessment Model (1950) to evaluate the implementation of Primary School Standard Curriculum or known as Kurikulum Standard Sekolah Rendah (KSSR) of the subject World of Science and Technology (WST). Based on Tyler's Model, the four aspects of the evaluation are: objective, content, method, and assessment. The design of the study used an evaluation study of a mixed method known as an explanatory sequential design that has two phases of data collection i.e. quantitative data followed by qualitative data. A sample of the study consisted of 345 WST subject teachers and 12 interviewed respondents. A set of questionnaire was built and the value of Cronbach Alpha for the entire questionnaire ranged from 0.770 to 0.790. The descriptive statistical analysis is used to identify the level of understanding and skill of the teachers on the objective, content, method and evaluation aspects in implementing the WST curriculum learning standard. Overall, the findings showed that the level of understanding and skill of the teachers on objective constructs, content, methodology, and assessment are at high level. Regression analysis using the Stepwise method revealed four independent variables namely selection of content, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Content Standards, curriculum goals and content appropriateness correlated and influenced the level of teachers teaching skills and methods in implementing Year Two WST curriculum Learning Standard. The assessment results provide input on the strengths or weaknesses found in each component of the assessment. Regular support, monitoring, and training should be taken into account to ensure that the curriculum has been developed and implemented successfully.