Scientific Literacy and the Science Curriculum Reorganisation in Portugal

Abstract

The study analyses the curricular reorganisation in science teaching in the Portuguese 3rd cycle of basic education, explores how scientific literacy is embraced in the curriculum and analyses the evolution in the students’ results in the external assessments PISA and TIMSS. The curriculum reforms have culminated in two documents in force in science education: Essential Apprenticeships and Profile of Students Leaving Compulsory Schooling. In both, the development of scientific literacy is one of the main goals to be achieved. During the curricular changes, the emphasis on the importance of scientific literacy for the students’ education has increased, which is reflected in the relevant growth of Portugal’s results in external assessments.