The unwritten curriculum

The Unwritten Curriculum is an examination of how typical occurrences in the school environment, including interactions with teachers, principals, and other students, make lasting impressions - both positive and negative - on the minds and hearts of young learners. In some situations, the unwritten curriculum can actually have as much or more of an impact than the planned curriculum.

As a basis for their research, Arthur and Phyllis Blumberg interviewed dozens of adults from college age to over 70. The stories of these former students, told in their own words, relate personal experiences from school days - sometimes comical, sometimes tragic memories that provide rare insight for educators. Readers, whether seasoned administrators or students of the education field, will find themselves reliving their own memories of school days as they share these timeless accounts.

The Blumbergs organize their subjects' experiences into chapters designed to represent the various "courses" in the unwritten curriculum. "Being Embarrassed," "Getting Even," "Battling the System," and "Learning About Learning" are a few of the topics examined.

The Unwritten Curriculum is an important reminder that educators can influence the lives of their students in ways they may not realize. "Being aware and learning to nurture," the authors conclude, is the key to improving the messages conveyed by the unwritten curriculum. The Blumbergs hope that readers will use this information to "reflect on life in the schools, what it is, what it isn't, and what it might be."