An educational curriculum is a path of learning that students are typically required to follow. This path of learning can be outlined by school officials or by government officials. It usually includes comprehension of core subjects such as reading, writing, mathematics and sciences. Upon successfully completing an educational curriculum, students generally receive some type of diploma, degree, or certificate.
An educational curriculum generally outlines what courses a student must take. In the primary years of education, children tend to have few choices. All students normally take the same classes in the same order. If a student needs to take special classes, these tend to be suggested at the discretion of the school.
In the middle years of primary education, students may be offered more flexibility. The educational curriculum may require certain types of courses but the child and his parents may be able to choose among them. For example, foreign language studies may be required but there may be several foreign languages to choose from.
In high school, students are generally offered more freedom to choose how they fulfill the requirements of the educational curriculum. The options may include different mathematics, science and social studies courses. If a student successfully completes the course work through the last year of high school, he should graduate and receive a diploma.
After high school, people may choose secondary education. If they do, they will likely choose their field of study. The educational curriculum that they must follow is generally dependent upon this choice. Artists and lawyers may be required to take some of the same courses, but most of their studies are likely to be different.
Students typically have more flexibility during their secondary education than in high school. They generally also have more options of courses. There also tends to be more freedom for students to take courses in the order they desire, as long as the learning path is completed before they apply for graduation. Some trade schools and colleges, however, may be a bit more rigid. Completion should result in a degree or professional certificate.
In addition to the courses that must be taken, an educational curriculum typically sets the standard that must be met while students are engaged in their studies. The educational path can vary, however, from one location to another. This is true even within a country or a state. It is common for there to be differences between what is required at private schools and what is required in public schools.