Explaining of the Causes of the Gap between Theory and Practice in Lower Secondary Artistic Education based on the Elements of Klein's Curriculum

The present study aimed at identifying and extracting the causes of gap between theory and practice of artistic education in the junior secondary education and comparison of managers and teachers’ opinions in this regard. The mixed-method approach to research was adopted. The sample consisted of curriculum specialists, art education experts, junior secondary managers and art-culture teachers. First, the causes of gap were identified and extracted through analyzing national and international resources, interview with curriculum specialists and art education experts based on the elements of Klein’s curriculum. Then according to these causes, a questionnaire was designed and administered to the managers and teachers. The results of the analysis in the first run led to identification and extraction of 79 causes, among which there was a significant difference between the managers and teachers’ opinions with regard to the element of content. Accordingly, experts of the Organization of Research and Educational Planning are suggested striving to revise the curriculum and consequently mitigating the gap between theory and practice of artistic education especially in the area of content.