Use and usefulness of mathematics curriculum guides in Prince Edward Island

This study explored the perceptions Prince Edward Island senior high mathematics teachers have of the use and usefulness of the academic mathematics curriculum guides. The degree to which curriculum guides are being used to deliver courses is not well known. Much anecdotal information has been available, but there is a marked absence of quantitative data.

This study, used an integrated research methodology, in which the use and usefulness of the mathematics curriculum guides in Prince Edward Island as perceived by Island high school teachers was investigated. The use of the curriculum guides was researched using a survey in which 32 of the 48 academic mathematics teachers on PEI participated. Of the 32 participating teachers, 14 agreed to take part in an electronic interview where the usefulness of the curriculum guides was explored. The study revealed the substantive use of the curriculum guides and the perception by PEI mathematics teachers that the guide was useful. The positive view that Island teachers expressed to the guides presents a model for curriculum development and implementation that could possibly be utilized in other curriculum areas. The researcher outlined the curriculum development process, which was viewed by teachers as a possible framework for future curriculum guide development. A number of recommendations were made to the Department of Education, that may inform development of future curriculum guides by a collaborative-teacher-assisted procedure.