curricular

Curricular is an adjective relating to a curriculum, the planned set of courses and learning experiences offered by an educational program. The term derives from curriculum, from Latin currere “to run,” and is used to describe elements that are formally taught during the school day. It is distinct from co-curricular, referring to activities that accompany instruction, and extracurricular, which are activities outside the standard program.

In policy and planning, curricular describes standards, frameworks, units, and materials that constitute a course of study. It encompasses learning objectives, sequence, content, pacing, and assessment alignment. Curricular design aims to provide coherence across subjects and grade levels, ensuring that what students are expected to learn matches instructional activities and assessments.

In practice, schools and districts develop curricular maps or frameworks that outline progression across grades, identify core competencies, and specify elective options. Curricular reforms may revise standards, introduce new content, or restructure pacing. The term is commonly used in education policy, teacher planning, and program evaluation, and is often contrasted with co-curricular programs that include activities such as clubs or service projects.

The term is widely used across national and regional education systems to discuss formal instruction, curriculum development, and assessment alignment.