Design and Validation of Decentering Schemes for Decision-Making about Curriculum Based on Schwab’s Theory and Features of the Curriculum Development System in Iran

Abstract

Purpose: the present study aimed to design and validate decentering schemes for decision making about curriculum based on Schwab’s practical theory and features of the educational system in Iran. Methodology: in the first step, qualitative methods of "Speculative Essay", "Evaluative Inquiry: Situational Assessment", and "Integrative Inquiry: The Research Synthesis" were employed to explain decentering curriculum according to Schwab's theory, to evaluate and analyze the characteristics of the curriculum system in Iran with regard to the decision-making structure, and to codify the first options of decentering the curriculum, respectively. To evaluate the quality of the primary scheme and codify the final one, the qualitative research approach and interviews were employed. Findings: the findings of this study show that decentering decision making about the elements of curriculum in Iran’s curriculum development system includes seven schema as follows: (a) uniform (one type); (b) multiform (four types); (c) formless (ten types); (d) a combination of uniform and multiform (four types); (e) a combination of uniform and formless (ten types); (f) a combination of multiform and formless (forty types), and (g) a combination of uniform, multiform, and formless (forty types). Conclusion: in the designed scheme, several decision-making positions for curriculum are introduced according to various area features of the country to enable all areas to make optimal choices with regard to their capacity.