Some Suggestions On Standards Of Higher Vocation Education

In recent years, with the rapid development of China's higher vocational education, the reform of teaching theory, curriculum, and content has seriously lagged behind. Research on higher vocational curriculum standards would be beneficial in making the setting of curriculum more rational, and in standardizing curriculum development and construction. Such research can provide guidance in curriculum reform, has real significance in perfecting higher vocational education theory, and can provide advice for government policy-making.This paper strives to strictly clarify the concept of curriculum standards in higher vocational education. The principle methods used are: a review of the literature, an investigation and analysis of experience, case analyses, comparative analysesThe paper also clarifies the connotations, characteristics, and functions of higher vocational education curriculum standards.Higher vocational education curriculum standards are in line with the training plans for each major field of study. The standards provide a concrete description of the results expected after students complete their curriculum. These standards are the guiding document for teaching and learning, and include two parts: curriculum content standards and course examination standards.Higher vocational education curriculum standards are a form of higher education. They prescribe the quality and knowledge requirements for the curriculum. They also have the function of vocational education in that they are localized, focused on technical skills, and are market driven. The standards are also the principal programming document for curriculum organization and implementation. Additionally, They are the primary basis for course material compilation arid course evaluation. As well, they are a link for the merging with industry standards.This paper carries out research regarding the needs, the theories for the building of higher vocational education curriculum standards, and the formulation of tactics for the construction of these standards. Through an investigation of the current state of higher vocational education curriculum, the research reveals that the curriculum content and the requirements for the vocational ability of the students do not conform. It also shows that the curriculum lags behind the development of industry and that the course assessment system does not measure up to the setting of student ability levels or the vocational qualifications that be public expect. Furthermore, the curriculum is unfavourable to student development, unfavourable to bringing forth new ideas in vocational education, and unfavourable to promoting our country's international competitiveness.Based upon modern educational thinking regarding character-building education, innovative education, practical education, and lifelong learning, the building of higher vocational education curriculum standards should embody the transformation of a "competency-based standard" to a "personality-based standard." It should also embody the public service nature of the higher vocational education curriculum.To enable integration with relevant industries, there should be a merging of the national vocational qualification system and the employment entry-level qualifications system. This is a distinct function of higher vocational education curriculum standards. The standards must fully reflect the various aspects of the higher vocational education curriculum, which means they should be flexible, scientific, predictive of future needs, and skills-based.Finally, this paper proposes a model for higher vocational education curriculum standards, and offers some curriculum standards cases.This paper's innovative aspect is its systematic discussion of the basic theory for constructing higher vocational education curriculum standards, and the provision of a model for these standards.