Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Second International Handbook of Urban Education pp 243–264Cite as

Contemporary Educational Problems and Major Challenges as a Part of Curriculum Changes in Croatia: A Multiple Perspectives Insight

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

  • 2308 Accesses

Part of the book series: Springer International Handbooks of Education ((SIHE))

Abstract

During the past 15 years, educational and curriculum changes in Croatian pre-tertiary education level took place under the influence of modern pedagogical and didactic paradigms on one hand, and on the other, under the influence of the new socio-cultural values. Since these changes reflect on all education system stakeholders, a multiple understanding and problem detection can contribute to further improving education reform steps for effective curriculum changes at all levels and with all stakeholders.

The aim of this paper is to identify and analyse multiple problem perspectives of educational and curriculum changes - teachers, pupils, parents, professional associates, school founders, using the interviewing method of a randomly selected research sample, and to detect and determine the biggest and the most common problems of the surveyed stakeholders. The results were processed through qualitative and quantitative analysis, applying the comparison method and triple coding, and classifying narrative statements of the respondents.

The research results show that pupils’ motivation to learn represents the most frequent problem category. The problem of pupils’ motivation to learn appears to be most common not only among teachers, but also among parents and pupils. Professional associates at school face the administrative burden as the most frequent problem whilst the attitudes of school founders’ representatives are most often related to financial problems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   469.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   599.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   599.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    According to the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia [Ustav Republike Hrvatske], 1990, the 8-year primary school education is obligatory.

  2. 2.

    The Croatian educational system differs teachers who educate pupils from I. to IV. grade and teachers of certain subjects, which educate pupilss from V. to VIII. grade and high school pupils.

  3. 3.

    Small school or district school is the name for the dislocated school premises that are located in smaller towns, municipalities, villages or islands, and fall under the management of the main school in the city.

References

  • Bogner, W. K., & Ginsburg-Block, M. (2008). Cultural continuity between home and school as a predictor of student motivation: What we know, what we need to learn, and implications for practice. In C. Hudley & A. Eskeles Gottfried (Eds.), Academic motivation and the culture of school in childhood and adolescence (pp. 121–145). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charmaz, K. (2006). Constructing grounded theory: A practical guide through qualitative analysis. London: SAGE.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, M. (2007). Metode istrazivanja u obrazovanju [Research methods in education]. Jastrebarsko: Naklada Slap.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, H. A., Summers, J. J., & Miller, L. M. (2012). An interpersonal approach to classroom management: Strategies for improving student engagement. London: SAGE.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Drzavni pedagoski standardi [The National Pedagogical Standards]. (2008). Zagreb: Ministry of Science, Education and Sports.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flick, U. (2009). An introduction to qualitative research. London: SAGE.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hagenauer, G., Hascher, T., & Volet, S. E. (2015). Teacher emotions in the classroom: Associations with students’ engagement, classroom discipline and the interpersonal teacher-student relationship. European Journal of Psychology of Education, 30(4), 385–403.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hudley, C., & Daoud, M. A. (2008). Cultures in contrast: Understanding the influence of school culture on student engagement. In C. Hudley & A. Eskeles Gottfried (Eds.), Academic motivation and the culture of school in childhood and adolescence (pp. 187–220). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Jokic, B., & Ristic Dedic, Z. (2007). U sjeni: privatne instrukcije u obrazovanju Republike Hrvatske [In the shadow: Private tutoring in Croatian education]. Zagreb: Institut za drustvena istrazivanja.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jurcic, M. (2006). Ucenikovo opterecenje nastavnom i razredno-nastavno ozracje [The school workload of students – From the classroom factor and the teaching atmosphere to factors of satisfaction with the school]. Odgojne Znanosti, 8(2), 329–346.

    Google Scholar 

  • Juul, J. (2013). Skola u infarktnom stanju [School in the state of infarct]. Zagreb: Znanje.

    Google Scholar 

  • Konvencija o pravima osoba s invaliditetom [The convention on the rights of persons with disabilities]. (2007). Zagreb: Narodne novine, retrieved from http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/medunarodni/2007_06_6_80.html. Accessed on 21 Oct 2015.

  • Luketic, D. (2013). Razvoj poduzetničke kompetencija u okviru kurikulumskih promjena odgoja i obrazovanja [Development of entrepreneurial competence within curriculum changes in education]. Doctoral thesis. Zagreb: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maricic, J., Sakic, V., & Franc, R. (2009). Roditeljsko zadovoljstvo skolom i stav prema promjenama u skolstvu: uloga roditeljskih ulaganja i ocekivanih posljedica promjena [Parental satisfaction with school and their attitude toward changes in school: The role of parental investment and expected consequences of changes]. Drustvena Istrazivanja, 18(4/5), 625–648.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marzano, R., & Marzano, J. (2003). The key to classroom management. Educational Leadership, 61(1), 6–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Milas, G. (2009). Istrazivacke metode u psihologiji i drugim drustvenim znanostima [Research methods in psychology and other social sciences]. Jastrebarsko: Naklada Slap.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nacionalni okvirni kurikulum za predskolski odgoj i obrazovanje, opce obvezno i srednjoskolsko obrazovanje [National curriculum framework for preschool education and general compulsory and secondary education]. (2011). Zagreb: Ministry of Science, Education and Sport.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nastavni plan i program za osnovnu skolu [Teaching plan and programme for primary education]. (2006). Zagreb: Ministry of Science, Education and Sport.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nove boje znanja, Strategija obrazovanja, znanosti i tehnologije [New colors of knowledge. Strategy of education, science and technology]. (2014). Zagreb: Ministry of science, education and sport. Retrieved from http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2014_10_124_2364.html. Accessed on 27 Oct 2015.

  • Operational Programme Human Resources Development, European Social Fund (2007–2013). (2013). Republic of Croatia, Ministry of Labour and Pension System. Retrieved from http://public.mzos.hr/Default.aspx?sec=3212. Accessed on 26 Oct 2015.

  • Plan razvoja sustava odgoja i obrazovanja 2005–2010. [Education sector development plan for 2005–2010]. (2005). Zagreb: Ministry of Science, Education and Sport.

    Google Scholar 

  • Projekt hrvatskog odgojno-obrazovnog sustava za 21. stoljece [Project on Croatian Education System for the 21st century]. (2002). Zagreb: Government of the Republic of Croatia, Ministry of Education and Sport. Retrieved from https://vlada.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/Sjednice/Arhiva/19.%20-%2010.2.a.pdf. Accessed on 13 Oct 2015.

  • Simic, S. S., & Soric, I. (2010). Pridonose li osobne karakteristike nastavnika vrsti interakcije koju ostvaruju sa svojim ucenicima? [Do personal characteristics of teachers contribute to the type of interaction they have with their students?]. Drustvena Istrazivanja, 19(6), 973–994.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skinner, E., & Belmont, M. (1993). Motivation in the classroom: Reciprocal effects of teacher behavior and student engagement across the school year. Journal of Educational Psychology, 85, 571–581.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soric, I. (2014). Samoregulacija ucenja [Self-regulated learning]. Jastrebarsko: Naklada Slap.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strategija za izradbu i razvoj nacionalnoga okvirnoga kurikuluma za predskolski odgoj, opce obvezno i srednjoskolsko obrazovanje [Strategy for the construction and development of the National Curriculum for Preschool Education, General Compulsory and Secondary School Education]. (2007). Zagreb: Ministry of Science, Education and Sport, Council for the National Curriculum.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNESCO. (2005). Guidelines for inclusion: Ensuring access to education for all. Paris: UNESCO. Retrieved from http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001402/140224e.pdf. Accessed on 13 Oct 2015.

  • Ustav Republike Hrvatske [Constitution of the Republic of Croatia]. (1990). Zagreb. Retrieved from http://www.zakon.hr/z/94/Ustav-Republike-Hrvatske. Accessed on 5 Oct 2015.

  • Vodic kroz Hrvatski nacionalni obrazovni standard za osnovnu skolu [Guide through the Croatian National Education Standard for Primary School]. (2005). Zagreb: Ministry of Science, Education and Sport.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiseman, D. G., & Hunt, G. G. (2013). Best practice in motivation and management in the classroom. Springfield: Charles C. Thomas Publisher, Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zakon o odgoju i obrazovanju u osnovnoj i srednjoj skoli [Law on education in primary and secondary schools]. (2008). Zagreb. Retrieved from http://www.zakon.hr/z/317/Zakon-o-odgoju-i-obrazovanju-u-osnovnoj-i-srednjoj-%C5%A1koli. Accessed on 5 Oct 2015.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Education, University of Zadar, Mihovila Pavlinovica 1, 23000, Zadar, Croatia

    Dijana Vican

Authors
  1. Dijana Vican
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dijana Vican .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Educational Policy & Lead'ship, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

    William T. Pink

  2. School of Education, Uni. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA

    George W. Noblit

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Vican, D. (2017). Contemporary Educational Problems and Major Challenges as a Part of Curriculum Changes in Croatia: A Multiple Perspectives Insight. In: Pink, W., Noblit, G. (eds) Second International Handbook of Urban Education. Springer International Handbooks of Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40317-5_16

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40317-5_16

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-40315-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-40317-5

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation