SUPPORTING PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS’ CURRICULUM LITERACY THROUGH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Okan Baysal, Alper Başbay

Abstract


This study designed, implemented, and evaluated a needs-informed professional development programme to support primary school teachers’ curriculum literacy in Türkiye. A mixed-methods quasi-experimental design was employed. The quantitative component included 50 teachers in the experimental group and 62 teachers in the control group, with curriculum literacy perceptions and achievement measured at pre-test, post-test, and 16-week retention. The Curriculum Literacy Professional Development Programme (CLPDP) was implemented over four weeks in 10 sessions totalling 30 hours, combining 20 hours of synchronous online instruction with 10 hours of face-to-face practice. Post-intervention interviews were conducted with 10 participants, and a researcher diary provided supplementary qualitative data. Mixed-design ANOVA showed significant Group × Time interactions for both curriculum literacy perceptions and achievement. The experimental group improved from pre-test to post-test and maintained these gains at the 16-week retention measurement, whereas corresponding changes in the control group were not significant. Qualitative findings indicated greater awareness of the relationship between educational philosophy and curriculum, curriculum analysis and adaptation, and the value of linking theoretical input with collaborative practice. Overall, the findings suggest that needs-informed, blended professional development can support teachers’ curriculum literacy knowledge, perceptions, and engagement with curriculum-related practices.

Keywords


curriculum literacy, curriculum knowledge, curriculum development, curriculum, professional development

Full Text:

PDF

References


Ariav, T. (1989). Curriculum analysis. In T. Husen & T. N. Postlethwaite (Eds.), The international encyclopedia of education: Supplementary volume one (pp. 194–195). Pergamon Press. Retrieved from https://books.google.ro/books/about/The_International_Encyclopedia_of_Educat.html?id=ydpXAAAAYAAJ&redir_esc=y

Avalos, B. (2011). Teacher professional development in teaching and teacher education over ten years. Teaching and Teacher Education, 27(1), 10–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2010.08.007

Bakken, J., & Andersson-Bakken, E. (2021). The textbook task as a genre. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 53(6), 729–748. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220272.2021.1929499

Barnes, D. R. (1982). Practical curriculum study. Routledge & Kegan Paul. Retrieved from https://www.routledge.com/Practical-Curriculum-Study/Barnes/p/book/9781138321489

Behar, L. S. (1994). The knowledge base of curriculum: An empirical analysis. University Press of America. Retrieved from https://ursinus.ecampus.com/knowledge-base-curriculum-empirical/bk/9780819192660

Ben-Peretz, M. (1990). The teacher-curriculum encounter: Freeing teachers from the tyranny of texts. State University of New York Press. Retrieved from https://books.google.ro/books/about/The_Teacher_Curriculum_Encounter.html?id=GQGJ3Ow1N-gC&redir_esc=y

Bilgin, H. (2023). Program okuryazarlığına yönelik bir program tasarısı ile öğretmenlerin öğretmenlik mesleği genel yeterliklerinin geliştirilmesi. [Doctoral dissertation, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University].

Carr, J. F., & Harris, D. E. (2001). Succeeding with standards: Linking curriculum, assessment, and action planning. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Choppin, J. (2011). Learned adaptations: Teachers’ understanding and use of curriculum resources. Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education, 14(5), 331–353. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10857-011-9170-3

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage. Retrieved from https://books.google.ro/books/about/Research_Design.html?id=335ZDwAAQBAJ&redir_esc=y

Day, C. (1999). Developing teachers: The challenges of lifelong learning. Falmer Press. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203021316

Day, C., & Gu, Q. (2007). Variations in the conditions for teachers' professional learning and development: Sustaining commitment and effectiveness over a career. Oxford Review of Education, 33(4), 423-443. https://doi.org/10.1080/03054980701450746

Deng, Z. (2018). Pedagogical content knowledge reconceived: Bringing curriculum thinking into the conversation on teachers' content knowledge. Teaching and Teacher Education, 72(1), 155–164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2017.11.021

Deng, Z. (2025). Knowledge and curriculum: towards an educational and Didaktik/curriculum way of thinking and theorizing. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 57(1), 64–77. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220272.2025.2455690

Diaz-Maggioli, G. (2004). Teacher-centered professional development. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Retrieved from https://books.google.ro/books/about/Teacher_centered_Professional_Developmen.html?hl=es&id=u5hVAxXI2q8C&redir_esc=y

Dilek, Ç. (2020). Öğretmen adaylarının program okuryazarlık düzeyleri ile pedagojik bilgi ve beceri düzeylerinin incelenmesi. [Master’s thesis, Ataturk University].

Education First. (2022). Curriculum literacy guide. https://www.education-first.com/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2022/11/Curriculum-Literacy-Guide-Final.pdf

Eisner, E. W. (1979). The educational imagination. Macmillan Publishing Company. Retrieved from https://books.google.ro/books/about/The_Educational_Imagination.html?id=ZXnuAAAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y

Eraut, M., Goad, L., & Smith, G. (1975). The analysis of curriculum materials. University of Sussex Education Area, Occasional Paper No. 2. University of Sussex. Retrieved June 15, 2021, from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED114353.pdf

Erdem, S. (2023). Öğretmenlere yönelik program okuryazarlığı hizmet içi eğitim programının geliştirilmesi: tasarım, uygulama ve değerlendirme. [Doctoral dissertation, Yıldız Technical University].

Finnanger, T. S. (2025). Teachers as macro curriculum makers: Mandate and influence in the Norwegian LK20. The Curriculum Journal, 36(3), 511-526. https://doi.org/10.1002/curj.310

Freire, P. (1998). Pedagogy of freedom: Ethics, democracy, and civic courage. Bloomsbury Publishing. Retrieved from https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Hdl4AAAAQBAJ

Guskey, T. R. (1995). Professional development in education in search of the optimal mix. In T. R. Guskey & M. Huberman (Eds.), Professional development in education: New paradigms and practices (pp. 114-131). Teachers College Press. Retrieved from https://books.google.com.uy/books?id=pol2QgAACAAJ&source=gbs_navlinks_s

Guskey, T. R. (2000). Evaluating professional development. Corwin Press. Retrieved from https://books.google.ro/books/about/Evaluating_Professional_Development.html?id=CklqX4zgDtgC&redir_esc=y

Hooper, D., Coughlan, J., & Mullen, M. (2008). Structural equation modelling: Guidelines for determining model fit. Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods, 6(1), 53–60.

Joseph, P. B. (2011). Cultures of curriculum. Routledge. https://books.google.ro/books/about/Cultures_of_Curriculum.html?id=GMvcpWMvAzMC&redir_esc=y

Kaufmann, D., Johnson, S. M., Kardos, S. M., Liu, E., & Peske, H. G. (2002). “Lost at sea”: New teachers' experiences with curriculum and assessment. Teachers College Record, 104(2), 273–300. https://doi.org/10.1177/016146810210400202

Keskin, A. (2020). Öğretmenlerin öğretim programı okuryazarlık düzeylerine yönelik algılarının belirlenmesi. [Doctoral dissertation, Hacettepe University]. Retrieved from https://openaccess.hacettepe.edu.tr/items/d442d2c1-c2b8-449b-95c5-75607e6553a9

Kirst, M. W., & Walker, D. F. (1971). An analysis of curriculum policy-making. Review of Educational Research, 41(5), 479–509. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543041005479

Klein, M. F. (1989). Curriculum reform in the elementary school: Creating your own agenda. New York: Teachers College Press. Retrieved from https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000175328

Korthagen, F. A. (2010). How teacher education can make a difference. Journal of Education for Teaching, 36(4), 407–423. https://doi.org/10.1080/02607476.2010.513854

Kuyubaşıoğlu, R. M. (2019). Öğretmenlerin eğitim programı okuryazarlığı yeterliklerinin incelenmesi. [Master’s thesis, Mersin University]. Retrieved from https://acikerisim.mersin.edu.tr/yayin/172569

Landis, J. R., & Koch, G. G. (1977). An application of hierarchical kappa-type statistics in the assessment of majority agreement among multiple observers. Biometrics, 33(2), 363–374. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/884196/

Manoli, P., Papadopoulou, M., & Metallidou, P. (2016). Investigating the immediate and delayed effects of multiple-reading strategy instruction in primary EFL classrooms. System, 56, 54–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2015.11.003

Marek, M., Lizárraga-Dueñas, L., Woulfin, S., Wetzel, M. M., & Muñoz, E. (2025). A framework for curriculum literacy in initial teacher preparation: Policy, practices, and possibilities. Journal of Teacher Education, 76(4), 337–350. https://doi.org/10.1177/00224871241263803

Marsh, C. J., & Willis, G. (2007). Curriculum: Alternative approaches, ongoing issues. Pearson. Retrieved from https://books.google.ro/books/about/Curriculum.html?id=eTMOAAAACAAJ&redir_esc=y

Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı [Ministry of National Education]. (2022). Öğretim programı okuryazarlığı: Öğretmen rehber kitabı [Curriculum literacy: Teacher guidebook]. https://ogmmateryal.eba.gov.tr/kitap/ogretim-programiokuryazarligi/index.html

Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı [Ministry of National Education]. (2024). Türkiye Yüzyılı Maarif Modeli Öğretim Programları Ortak Metni [Century of Türkiye Education Model Common Curriculum Text]. https://tymm.meb.gov.tr/upload/brosur/2024programortakmetinOnayli.pdf

Nuttall, A., Podesta, E., Quickfall, A., & Stephenson, M. (2025). Sustaining the teaching profession: Innovating the “golden thread” in university-led teacher education. British Educational Research Journal. Advance Online Publication, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1002/berj.70028

O'Dwyer, A. (2013). Pre-, post-and delayed post-test evaluation of the conceptual understanding of direct current resistive electric circuits of cohorts of first year electrical engineering students. In 2013 48th International Universities' Power Engineering Conference (UPEC) (pp. 1–4). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/UPEC.2013.6714872

Opfer, V. D., & Pedder, D. (2011). Conceptualizing teacher professional learning. Review of Educational Research, 81(3), 376–407. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654311413609

Ornstein, A. C., & Levine, D. U. (2008). Foundations of education. Houghton Mifflin Company. Retrieved from https://books.google.ro/books/about/Foundations_of_Education.html?id=CkUQAQAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y

Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods: Integrating theory and practice. Sage. Retrieved from https://books.google.ro/books/about/Qualitative_Research_Evaluation_Methods.html?id=-CM9BQAAQBAJ&redir_esc=y

Phillips, E. (2009). Use of curriculum materials at different points on the professional continuum. In J. T. Remillard, B. A. Herbel-Eisenmann, & G. M. Lloyd (Eds.), Mathematics teachers at work: Connecting curriculum materials and classroom instruction (pp. 274–279). Routledge

Poulton, P., & Mockler, N. (2024). Early career primary teachers' curriculum‐making experiences: Enablers and constraints to knowledge‐led forms of curriculum‐making. The Curriculum Journal, 35(1), 20–37. https://doi.org/10.1002/curj.225

Remillard, J. T., & Bryans, M. B. (2004). Teachers' orientations toward mathematics curriculum materials: Implications for teacher learning. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 35(5), 352–388. https://doi.org/10.2307/30034820

Ross, E. (2024). Teachers' interpretation of curriculum as a window into ‘curriculum potential’. The Curriculum Journal, 35(1), 38–55. https://doi.org/10.1002/curj.239

Schroeder, S., & Curcio, R. (2022). Critiquing, curating, and adapting: Cultivating 21st-century critical curriculum literacy with teacher candidates. Journal of Teacher Education, 73(2), 129–144. https://doi.org/10.1177/00224871221075279

Shadish, W., Cook, T., & Campbell, D. T. (2002). Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for generalized causal inference. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.

Shulman, L. S. (1986). Those who understand: Knowledge growth in teaching. Educational Researcher, 15(2), 4–14. https://doi.org/10.2307/1175860

Sinnema, C., & Stoll, L. (2020). Learning for and realising curriculum aspirations through schools as learning organisations. European Journal of Education, 55(1), 9–23. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.12381

Smith-Sullivan, K. (2008). Diaries and journals. In L. M. Given (Ed.), The Sage encyclopedia of qualitative research methods (pp. 213–215). Sage. Retrieved from https://methods.sagepub.com/ency/edvol/sage-encyc-qualitative-research-methods/chpt/diaries-journals#_

Sparks, D., & Loucks-Horsley, S. (2003). Five models of staff development for teachers. In A. C. Ornstein, L. S. Behar-Horenstein & E. F. Pajak (Eds.), Contemporary issues in curriculum (pp. 290–314). Pearson Education. Retrieved from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ414183

Spiro, R. J., Vispoel, W. P., Schmitz, J. G., Samarapungavan, A., & Boerger, A. E. (1987). Knowledge acquisition for application: Cognitive flexibility and transfer in complex content domains. In B. K. Britton & S. M. Glynn (Eds.), Psychology of reading and reading instruction: Executive control processes in reading (pp. 177–199). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. Retrieved from https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1987-97907-007

Stein, M. K., Remillard, J. T., & Smith, M. S. (2007). How curriculum influences student learning. In F. K. Lester (Ed.), Second handbook of research on mathematics teaching and learning (pp. 319–369). Information Age Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-28141-200-320251012

Steiner, D., Magee, J., Jensen, B., & Button, J. (2018). Curriculum literacy in schools of education? The hole at the center of American teacher preparation. Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy & Learning First. https://learningfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/8.-Curriculum-literacy-in-schools-of-education.pdf

Şahin, A. İ. (2020). Sınıf öğretmeni adaylarının eğitim programı okuryazarlık düzeylerinin incelenmesi. [Master’s thesis, Kastamonu University].

Taba, H. (1962). Curriculum development: Theory and practice. Harcourt, Brace & World. Retrieved from https://books.google.ro/books/about/Curriculum_Development_Theory_and_Practi.html?id=ftQ9AAAAYAAJ&redir_esc=y

Tomašević, B., & Trivić, D. (2015). Chemistry curricular knowledge of secondary school teachers. Journal of the Serbian Chemical Society, 80(3), 435–452. https://doi.org/10.2298/JSC141002121T

Towers, J. (2012). Administrative supports and curricular challenges: new teachers enacting and sustaining inquiry in schools. Canadian Journal of Education, 35(1), 259–278. Retrieved from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ968814

Tran, D., & O’Connor, B. R. (2024). Teacher curriculum competence: how teachers act in curriculum making. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 56(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220272.2023.2271541

Tulley, M. A., & Farr, R. (1985). Textbook adoption: Insight, impact, and potential. Book Research Quarterly, 1(2), 4–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02683570

Ünver, G., & Erdamar, G. (2015). Türkiye’de erken çocukluk dönemi öğretmenlerinin eğitim programı geliştirme sürecine katkıları. Kırşehir Ahi Evran University Faculty of Education Journal, 16(1), 215–234. Retrieved from https://izlik.org/JA44UJ88JL

van Bemmel, R., Zitter, I., & de Bruijn, E. (2025). Exploring the concept of a responsive curriculum in teacher education from the perspective of students and teacher educators. The Curriculum Journal, 36(2), 274–293. https://doi.org/10.1002/curj.295

Van Driel, J. H., & Berry, A. (2012). Teacher professional development focusing on pedagogical content knowledge. Educational Researcher, 41(1), 26–28. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X11431010

Venezky, R. L. (1992). Textbooks in school and society. In P. W. Jackson (Ed.), Handbook of research on curriculum: A project of the American Educational Research Association (pp. 436–461). Macmillan Publishing Company.

Yar-Yıldırım, V. (2018). Okul yöneticilerinin program okuryazarlıklarına yönelik bir hizmet içi eğitim programının geliştirilmesi ve değerlendirilmesi. [Doctoral dissertation, Gaziosmanpaşa University].

Yüceer Öztürk, Y. (2019). İngilizce öğretmen adaylarının öğretim programına yönelik bilgi düzeyleri, yeterlik algıları ve deneyimleri. [Master’s thesis, Hacettepe University].

Zais, R. S. (1976). Curriculum: Principles and foundations. Harper & Row, Publishers. Retrieved from https://books.google.ro/books/about/Curriculum.html?id=dIk0AAAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y

Zaragoza, A., Seidel, T., & Santagata, R. (2023). Lesson analysis and plan template: scaffolding preservice teachers’ application of professional knowledge to lesson planning. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 55(2), 138–152. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220272.2023.2182650




DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v13i10.7045

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2026 Okan Baysal, Alper Başbay

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Copyright © 2015-2026. European Journal of Education Studies (ISSN 2501 - 1111) is a registered trademark of Open Access Publishing Group. All rights reserved.


This journal is a serial publication uniquely identified by an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) serial number certificate issued by Romanian National Library (Biblioteca Nationala a Romaniei). All the research works are uniquely identified by a CrossRef DOI digital object identifier supplied by indexing and repository platforms. All authors who send their manuscripts to this journal and whose articles are published on this journal retain full copyright of their articles. All the research works published on this journal are meeting the Open Access Publishing requirements and can be freely accessed, shared, modified, distributed and used in educational, commercial and non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).