curriculum alignment

Purpose: This study aims to examine the moral curriculum in Iranian schools in Dubai, assesses its alignment with the National Curriculum Document of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and proposes strategies for optimization. Methodology: A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining qualitative methodologies. Content analysis was conducted on moral education textbooks from grades one to nine used in Iranian schools in Dubai and the National Curriculum Document of Iran. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 teachers and 5 curriculum planners to gain insights into teaching methods and evaluation practices. Colaizzi’s phenomenological method was used to analyze interview data, and thematic analysis was performed using qualitative data analysis software. Findings: The content analysis revealed that the moral curriculum in Iranian schools in Dubai follows a Western framework compatible with Islamic principles, emphasizing cultural studies, individual and social development, character-moral education, and civic studies. However, significant discrepancies were found when compared to the National Curriculum Document, which emphasizes virtues such as patience, courage, respect, empathy, chastity, trustworthiness, justice, and honesty. The Dubai curriculum focuses more on secular ethics and civic responsibilities. Proposed strategies for optimization include incorporating content aligned with the National Curriculum, enhancing cultural and recreational activities, organizing book reading competitions, and providing professional development for teachers. Conclusion: The study underscores the complexity of delivering moral education in a transnational context, where curricula must balance national values with the multicultural environment of the host country. The findings highlight the need for a more integrated approach that incorporates Islamic values while addressing the diverse backgrounds of students. By adopting the proposed strategies, Iranian schools in Dubai can enhance the moral and ethical development of their students, aligning more closely with national educational goals and effectively promoting Islamic ethical principles alongside necessary civic and social competencies.

This study addresses a critical need for effective curriculum alignment in higher education, particularly within Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). As educational institutions strive to enhance the quality of their programs, understanding the interconnections between intended, enacted, and assessed curricula becomes essential. This study examined the alignment among these curricula in the TEFL B.A. program at Shiraz University. Drawing on Anderson and Krathwohl's (2001) taxonomy of educational objectives, the researchers employed a mixed-methods design to analyze the cognitive processes and knowledge types in the curriculum standards, course content of instruction, and achievement tests of language teaching methodology, language testing, and linguistics courses. The qualitative content analysis revealed a notable overemphasis on lower-order thinking skills (LOTs) across all components of the courses studied. Specifically, the presence of higher-order thinking skills (HOTs) was quite limited within the curriculum standards, course content of instruction, and achievement tests. The quantitative analysis, using Porter's (2002) alignment index, further demonstrated a significant alignment (0.50) between the curriculum standards and achievement tests, but an insignificant alignment between the course content of instruction and the other two components. The findings highlight the need for policies that foster HOTs and support professional development for TEFL instructors. Educators should clarify learning objectives and align tasks with students' cognitive needs, thereby enriching TEFL curriculum design. The results advocate for integrating HOTs across the curriculum while ensuring alignment between intended, enacted, and assessed curricula. This study also contributes to ongoing research on curriculum design and implementation in TEFL higher education.