Expressing the hidden curriculum of the course of religion and life for 3rd grade of high school & presenting suggestions for improving religious education

This study was an attempt at documenting the hidden curriculum of the text book “Religion and life” for the 3rd grade of high school and presenting suggestions for improving the religious education of the students in Esfahan. The research methodology was qualitative and the statistical population included the students of the 6 different districts of educational organization. Subjects were selected by special sampling method. First, 312 students were chosen in the 1st stage to respond to the questionnaire. Then, 64 people were selected for semi-organized interviews. The validity and reliability of the instruments and analyzing methods of information were implemented in accordance with the qualitative research techniques. The research revealed some hidden Consequences such as, contradictions between the content of the book and the present problems of the community; lack of positive attitudes toward the book as an instructing reference with Islamic values; the existence of negative attitudes regarding the applications of the book contents in real life; provision of ambiguities in beliefs especially in Islamic government issues; and developing the ideology for imitative selections instead of investigative selections. It also presented some strategies for improving religious education of students. The most important suggestions for improving religious education of the students are: Avoiding ideological thoughts; presenting religious teachings appropriate with modern findings in religion; measuring attitudes and the students’ performance instead of evaluating their knowledge.