Curriculum as an International Text: Evaluation of Global Education from Junior High School Students’ Knowledge and Attitude in Taiwan

This study is interested in understanding curriculum as an international text and evaluating the connections between junior high school students’ global knowledge and attitudes and the required national curriculum in Taiwan. The study also examines whether the global knowledge and attitudes vary by demographic variables. By using the Global Knowledge Scale and Global Attitudes Scale, data were collected from 1,017 students in central Taiwan and analyzed by descriptive statistics, chi-square and one-way MANOVA. The results of this study revealed that, first, the global knowledge of the junior high school students was insufficient, but their global attitudes were positive. Second, there was no gender difference in global knowledge but there was a difference in global attitudes. Third, ninth graders held significantly the highest knowledge and attitudes than eighth graders and seventh graders. Fourth, there was a socioeconomic status difference in global knowledge and attitudes. Finally, students with overseas travel experience have better global knowledge and attitudes. This study suggests that practitioners and researchers need to find practical ways to improve global education including curriculum design and implementation, teacher preparation, school environment, and students’ assessment.