A Comparative Study of Students’ Achievement in the Previous and Current Curriculum: the Case of St. Mary’s College

Abstract

This study has been initiated with the understanding that analysis of students' achievement has broad implications in assessing the condition of educational achievement and in formulating and evaluating designed curriculum. Though the link between trends in test scores and the curriculum in concern is far less straightforward than many people assume, trends in average test scores have become common criteria for gauging the effectiveness of educational programs. The major objective of this research project is answering the research question: Is there a difference in achievement of students from the current and the previous curriculum? In order to address this research questions the study has identified two groups of population. These are groups of students enrolled in degree program which joins the college through on an advance standing program on the one hand and those finishing their preparatory education and join the college on the other. Accordingly, samples of 133 students are randomly selected taking St. Mary’s College as a case. Questionnaire has been designed and administered to these sample populations as to gather information on other major intervening variables (socio, demographic, and economic variables). The result obtained has demonstrated that there is a difference in test score (which is a proxy variable used here in measuring achievement) of students from the current and the previous curriculum. Accordingly students in the old curriculum were found to be better off in there mean cumulative GPA on general, major and language (English) subjects in particular. The study recommends the need to have a through evaluative research considering the out put of the new educational reform.