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  How Science fits into the New Zealand Curriculum.  



The New Zealand Curriculum Framework Science is one of the seven essential learning areas in the New Zealand Curriculum.

Each essential learning area will have a national curriculum statement which will explain it in more detail. The national curriculum statement for science, Science in the New Zealand Curriculum, was published in September 1993.

Curriculum statements on each of the essential learning areas are being published in turn.

Each will be featured in a what's new 'providing answers to parents' questions about the new curriculum.

WHAT DO SCHOOLS HAVE TO DO?

Science in the New Zealand Curriculum was 'gazetted' in November 1994, making it the official document for science teaching and learning in 1995 and beyond.

Teachers will be now be following their students' progress against the requirements of the new curriculum.

From the start of 1995, schools will be using the new science curriculum statement as the basis for their planning for science teaching.

MAKING THE DOCUMENT OFFICIAL

Publishing the national curriculum statement does not make it the official curriculum. It must go through a 'gazetting' process.

SEPT 93
Science in the New Zealand Curriculum published and distributed
NOV 94
note about Science in the New Zealand Curriculum published in the New Zealand Gazette
FEB 95
Science in the New Zealand Curriculum is the official curriculum for science (from new entrants to form 7)

Science in the New Zealand Curriculum and the other sciences

The new curriculum statement covers teaching in one subject, science, from new entrants to form 7.

There are several specialist science and science-related subjects in the senior secondary school. They will continue to be available alongside the new science curriculum.

The other specialist and science-related subjects include: agriculture; biology; biological science; chemistry; geography; horticulture; human biology; physics; and physical science.

Three new curriculum statements for the senior school, biology, chemistry, and physics, were published in December 1994 and will be fully implemented in 1997.


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