TABLE OF CONTENTS 

ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………….. iii 

DEDICATION…………………………………………………………... vii 

TABLE OF CONTENTS…………………………………………...……..viii 

LIST OF TABLES…………………………………………………...…...... xi 

Chapter 1

1.1. Biology Curriculum Implementation in Turkey……..….....................……. 12 

1.2. Purpose of the Study……………………………………....................…..... 15 

1.3. Significance of the Study……………………………..…….....................… 15 

1.4. Definition of Terms…………………………………...…….......................… 16 

Chapter TWO

2. 0 REVIEW OF LITERATURE……………………………………...................... 17 

2.1. Curriculum Implementation Research in 1970’s………......................…..… 17 

2.2. Determinants of Implementation……….…………………..........................…. 23 

2.3. Curriculum Implementation Research After 1970’s…....…............................. 30 

2.3.1. Teachers and Curriculum Implementation……….….............................…... 30 

2.3.1.1. Change and Teacher Development…………….......................................… 38

 2.3.2. Classroom Environment and Curriculum Implementation………………….. 40 

2.4. Biology Education and Curriculum Implementation in Turkey………………………… 44 

2.5. Conclusion………………………………………………….... 51 

Chapter THREE

3. METHOD…………………………………………………………. 53 

3.1. Overall Design of the Study……………………………..…... 53 

3.2. Research Questions……………………………………..……. 54 

3.3. Population and Selection of Sample…………………..……... 55 

3.4. Data Collection Instrument……………………………..……. 58 

3.5. Data Analysis…………………………………………..…….. 59 

3.6. Limitations of the Study………………………………...……. 60 

Chapter FOUR

4. RESULTS…………………………………………………………. 62 

4.1. Demographic Information about Teachers………….………. 62 

4.2. Physical Structure and Facilities of Schools………….……... 66 

4.3. Perceptions of Biology Curriculum…………………..……… 69 

4.3.1. Goals, Content and Teaching in Biology Education……. 69 

4.3.1.1. Required Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes about Biology……………………………. 69 

4.3.1.2. How Biology Should be Taught?……….…...….................................. 71 

4.3.2. Perceptions of New Curriculum…………………..........................…….... 73 

4.3.2.1. How Do Teachers Use the New Curriculum?……............................... 77 

4.3.2.2. Changes in Teaching with the New Curriculum….................................. 78 

4.3.2.3. Factors Influencing Learning Environment and Curriculum Implementation………….. 80 

4.4. Student Attitudes and Influences on Curriculum Implementation…………………….…….. 83 

4.4.1. Beliefs and Perceptions of Students…………………...............................................… 83 

4.4.2. Why Students Like Biology Classes?………………....................................................….. 84 

4.4.3. Why Students Don’t Like Biology Classes?…………................................................. 85 

4.4.4. How Students’ Level Influence the Process of Curriculum Implementation and Learning Environment?. ...................................................................................................87 

4.5. Instruction………………………………………….………... 89 

4.5.1. Teaching Methods and Techniques Used During Instruction……………………………... 89 

4.5.2. Instructional Materials Used During Instruction……... 112 

4.5.3. Laboratory Studies……………………………………. 126 

4.5.3.1. How Often Laboratory Studies are Carried Out?................................ 126 

4.5.3.2. Strategies Followed During Laboratory Studies…. 128 

4.5.4. Problems Faced During Instruction…………….. 132 

4.6. Summary of the Results……..……………………….……... .136 

Chapter FIVE

5. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS……………………….. 145 

5.1. Conclusions……………………………………….………... 145

 5.1.1. Implementation of Curriculum Intentions in Biology Classes…………………………... 145 

5.1.2. Local, School and Classroom Level Factors Influencing the Process of Curriculum Implementation……..................................................……. 147 

5.1.2.1. Local Level Factors…………………………….. 148 

5.1.2.2. School Level Factors……………………...……... 148 

5.1.2.3. Classroom Level Factors……………………….. 150

 5.1.2.3.1. Teacher Related Factors………………..…... 151 

5.1.2.3.1.1. Teacher Characteristics…………..…... 151 

5.1.2.3.1.2. Teacher Beliefs and Perceptions…..…. 154 

5.1.2.3.2. Student Related Factors……………..……… 158 

5.1.3. Implications for Practice…………………………….... 159 

5.1.4. Implications for Future Research…………………….. 163 REFERENCES…………………………………………………………... 164 

APPENDIX A. BIOLOGY CURRICULUM and INSTRUCTION EVALUATION QUESTIONNAIRE…………………………... 171