Looking from Within: Evolving a Framework of Transformative Process in Curriculum Planning

This study described the current curriculum planning practices of Southern Luzon State University-College in the context of school climate. Curriculum planning is said to be the initial stage of curriculum development in which curricular targets and contents are crafted. There are two prevalent curriculum planning models used by different institutions as identified by various authors: 1. Technical-rational, top-down and traditional approaches; and 2. Non-technical, bottom-up and transformative curriculum planning. Top-down approach is highly linear and prescriptive in which decisions are made solely by top administrators. On the other hand, bottom-upapproach involved teachers and students in the planning process that leads to their empowerment (Reyes and Harvey, 2011; Bee Bee, 2008; Sommerville, 2008; Fullan,2001). Thus, this study adopted the bottom-up approach in the curriculum planning integrating the transformative principles and processes