The principles of the American High School
Diploma Program curriculum

The American High School Diploma Program curriculum is based on a philosophy of education that incorporates the following principles:

• The full and harmonious development of the child
• The importance of making due allowance for individual difference
• The importance of activity and discovery methods
• The integrated nature of the curriculum
• The importance of environment-based learning

The Academic Council endorses these principles and recommends that any future curriculum development or revision should reflect them.

The American High School Diploma Program curriculum affirms the view of the child and the learning process implicit in these principles and develops them.

The principles of the full and harmonious development of the child and of making allowance for individual difference are implied and inculcated in the broader concepts of

• Celebrating the uniqueness of the child
• Ensuring the development of the child’s full potential

The pedagogical principles dealing with activity and discovery methods, an integrated curriculum and environment-based learning are subsumed into a wider range of learning principles that help to characterise more fully the learning process that the revised curriculum envisages. The more important of these are:

• The child’s wonder and natural curiosity is a primary motivating factor in learning
• The child is an active agent in his or her learning
• Learning is developmental in nature
• The child’s existing knowledge and experience form the base for learning
• the child’s immediate environment provides the context for learning
• Learning should involve guided activity and discovery methods
• Language is central in the learning process
• The child should perceive the aesthetic dimension in learning
• Social and emotional dimensions are important factors in learning
• Learning is most effective when it is integrated
• Skills that facilitate the transfer of learning should be fostered
• Higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills should be developed
• Collaborative learning should feature in the learning process
• The range of individual difference should be taken into account in the learning process
• Assessment is an integral part of teaching and learning

American High School Diploma Program Curriculum: Mission and Goals
The curriculum will adopt the following principles:

• Build linkage between learners' spiritual, ethical, social, cognitive, mental and physical growth and development
• Nurture individuality and thus enhance one's innate potentials
• Foster constitutional literacy and tolerance for different cultures
• Develop scientific temper and transformative competences to meet the fast changing
  society

Schools will accomplish such standards through the promotion of value-based learning activities which emphasize humanity, practicality, individuality, inclusiveness, and modernity. Such activities involve collaborations between oneself and others, individuals and the community, as well as humans and nature. To achieve this, we must guide our learners to achieve the following curriculum goals:

• To enhance self-awareness and explore innate potential
• To develop creativity and the ability to appreciate art and showcase one's own talents
• To promote capabilities related to goal setting, decision making and lifelong learning
• To nurture assertive communication and interpersonal skills
• To learn to be empathetic towards others, display dignity and respect to the opposite gender, to contribute for the community, and focus on preserving environment

Fostering Cultural Learning and International Understanding

• Strengthen knowledge and attitude related to livelihood skills
• Acquire ability to utilize technology and information for the betterment of humankind
• Inspire the attitude of functional and participatory learning
• To nurture assertive communication and interpersonal skills
• Develop abilities related to thinking skills and problem solving

Core Competencies and Outcomes
To achieve the above listed goals, the curriculum shall focus on the building capabilities of learners and aim at developing core competences which a global 21st century citizen should possess which are categorized as below:

01. Self-awareness and exploration of innate potential: involves understanding of one's personality, competencies, emotions, requirements, and dispositions, respect and love for self, regular self-reflection, self-discipline, optimistic attitude, and ethics, showcasing one's individuality, and instituting values

02. Appreciation, representation, and vision: the ability to perceive and appreciate the beauty of things, actions of imagination and creativity, developing a dynamic and innovative attitude, and expressing one in order to promote the quality of living

03. Goal setting and decision making: development of abilities in order to bring forth one's talents, road map for future success, and develop the capability of lifelong learning in accordance with the transition of the current century

04. Effective Communication skills: making effective use of verbal and non-verbal forms, sounds, motions, visual and written and tools such as media and technology interpersonal relationships through skills of listening and communicating effectively with others, and sharing various perspectives and information assertively with others

05. Empathy: Concern and aware of other people's feelings and situations, respectful to others, tolerant, and unbiased to human being, respect for life and thoughtful for the community, the environment, and nature, obeying and respecting the rules of the law, with conducive and collaborative attitude towards societal as well as global transformation

06. Cultural learning and international understanding: appreciating and respecting different groups and cultures, taking pride in the history and culture of one's own country as well as holding a positive outlook towards different cultures, developing a global perspective with conjoint interdependence, trust and cooperation

07. Knowledge and attitude: related to vocational and livelihood skills, adopting approaches by which such considerations and practices are incorporated, equipping and enabling each member to contribute to the community as well as serve the public and one's country in a productive way

08. Application of Information and Communication technology: effective use and application of ICT to boost learning efficacy and quality of life

09. Higher Order Thinking Skill: development of higher order thinking skills. Encouraging inquisitiveness and keen observation, actively exploring and discovering solutions, and applying knowledge, attitude and skills in daily life

10. Problem solving: cultivating the ability and habit of thinking creatively and reflectively, making logical analyses and decisions, and effectively solving problems and resolving conflicts