Curriculum has numerous definitions, which can be slightly confusing.

In its broadest sense a curriculum may refer to all courses offered at a school. This is particularly true of schools at the university level, where the diversity of a curriculum might be an attractive point to a potential student. A curriculum may also refer to a defined and prescribed course of studies, which students must fulfill in order to pass a certain level of education. For example, an elementary school might discuss how its curriculum, or its entire sum of lessons and teachings, is designed to improve national testing scores or help students learn the basics. An individual teacher might also refer to his or her curriculum, meaning all the subjects that will be taught during a school year. On the other hand, a high school might refer to a curriculum as the courses required in order to receive ones diploma. They might also refer to curriculum in exactly the same way as the elementary school, and use curriculum to mean both individual courses needed to pass, and the overall offering of courses, which help prepare a student for life after high school.

Importance of Curriculum to Teaching

By Steve Glenn, eHow Contributor
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The accomplishment of anything worthwhile, whether large or small, depends on the completion of goals, activities and milestones. An effective curriculum offers all these things. It provides administrators, teachers and students with structure and a sense of progression. Therefore, the importance and impact of curriculum cannot be overstated. Related Searches:
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1. Impact on Administrators
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A curriculum allows administrators to provide a dynamic educational program for current and prospective students. Schools, colleges and universities attract students with a variety of quality, competitive and flexible program curricula.

Impact on Teachers

A curriculum offers teachers the ideas and strategies for assessing student progress. A student must meet certain academic requirements in order to go to the next level. Without the guidance of a curriculum, teachers cannot be certain that they have supplied the necessary knowledge or the opportunity for student success at the next level, whether that level involves a high school, college or career.

Impact on Students
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A curriculum gives students an understanding of what must be accomplished in order to obtain a degree. Without such knowledge, students would be lost in a maze of academic courses that seemingly leads nowhere. They would have no assurance that they are taking the proper subjects toward a diploma or a degree. A curriculum promotes a sense of order and structure in the pursuit of academic success.

Considerations
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A curriculum is more than putting together a set of academically required subjects. Several things must be considered, such as the learning needs of students; the consensus of teachers and administrators; the expectations of the community; and current breakthroughs in academic fields.

Overall Significance
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Designing a curriculum involves the interaction of several participants, reaching beyond the academic wall to impact the entire community. Without an effective curriculum, students would not be able to understand or meet the challenges of society. A curriculum prepares an individual with the knowledge to be successful, confident and responsible citizens.