Teachers’ experiences preparing to teach a new senior secondary school (psychology) curriculum on the eve of enactment

Abstract

This article explores teachers’ experiences in preparing to enact a new senior secondary school subject, psychology, in Queensland, Australia, at a time of major curriculum reform. In this study, 62 teachers completed an online survey about their experiences on the eve of enactment. From an ecological lens, data were analyzed via descriptive statistics and content analysis before thematic analysis of open-ended responses. Teachers described their preparation in terms of excitement and anticipation in establishing a new subject; frustration and urgency for support to plan, collaborate and access professional learning and curriculum materials; and feelings of isolation and desire to connect with other teachers. Sustained efforts from schools, curriculum authorities and other external contexts to work in tandem with teachers are needed to enable teachers, as professionals, to prepare to enact the curriculum and set the foundations for establishing this new subject.