The state-led development and publishing of textbooks, from the school year 2014-2015, is coordinated by the Hungarian Institute for Educational Research and Development (HIERD). As a result, teachers in schools that, based on a representative sample, participate in the pilot, can use these textbooks from this September.
The HIERD realises the development of the new textbooks within the frames of the TÁMOP 3.1.2-B/13 project. Practicing teachers, digital developers, and experts of theory and practice from higher education and public education work together in the development process. Simultaneously to the writing of paper-based textbooks, digital learning materials are also developed. These will be available on the National Public Education Portal, a website which is also developed within the Institute. Moreover, professional support materials (worksheets, teachers’ manuals, measurement tools) are also being developed to complement the textbooks and to assist the everyday work of teachers.
After the one-year pilot, the textbooks will be revised according to feedback from teachers, which is an asset that did not exist in market-based textbook publishing. They will be student- and learning-centered study materials, which are harmonised with the development goals and educational content of the new national core curriculum, and related framework curricula. The textbooks are built on close linkage of theory and practice, effective learning strategies and applicable knowledge, thus prepare students for lifelong learning. They motivate students to complete the activities, are appropriate for the given age group, and include a range of pedagogical approaches. They will become part of the public education system as „lasting textbooks”, that is, children would receive them at the beginning of the school year, and return them at the end of it, so the books can serve several incoming classes.
For the school year 2014/2015, 27 pilot textbooks will be written (both print and digital version). Besides, 21 exercise books, 2 collections of literary texts are being developed. Overall, 50 books (61 volumes) will be published. The new books are based on the current student-centered paradigm, and focus on the development of skills and competences. During the development process, an emphasis is put on making good use of the experiences of practicing teachers, as well as scientific and teacher training institutes.
The list of the planned textbooks is as follows:
Grade
| Subject
|
year 1-2
| Reading, Mathematics and Environmental Studies
|
year 5-6
| Literature, Grammar, Mathematics, History, Ethics, Natural Science
|
year 9-10
| Literature, Grammar, Mathematics, History |
year 10-11 | General subjects textbook for vocational schools |
