This paper examines the meaning of null evaluation in education, with particular attention to the discrepancy between what is mandated in official curricula and what is actually measured through large-scale assessments. Null evaluation refers to the systematic omission of substantial curricular content in assessment practices, which in turn reshapes how the curriculum is interpreted, taught, and valued in schools. Although curriculum–assessment misalignment has long been acknowledged, little conceptual work has been done to theorize null evaluation as a distinctive phenomenon that influences educational practice and policy.

By framing null evaluation as an overlooked dimension of curriculum studies and assessment research, this study underscores its significance for understanding how intended curricula are transformed in real contexts of evaluation. The case of Korea’s high-stakes testing system is presented as an illustrative example: despite comprehensive curriculum guidelines, many important domains remain absent from assessments, effectively narrowing the taught curriculum. This absence not only affects what teachers emphasize but also contributes to long-term patterns of instructional prioritization.

Importantly, the concept of null evaluation has broader relevance beyond a single national case. Because many education systems worldwide rely heavily on large-scale testing, the tendency to exclude or silence certain curriculum areas is not unique to Korea. The theoretical framework offered here provides a lens through which researchers in other countries can investigate similar dynamics in their own contexts. By conceptualizing null evaluation in generalizable terms, this study contributes to comparative and international research on curriculum and assessment.

Authors:
Jaegeun Kim, Daegu National University of Education, South Korea

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Jaegeun Kim is currently a Assistant Professor of Social Studies Education at Daegu National University of Education, Korea, His research focuses on Social studies education, economic/financial literacy education, and educational assessment.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaegeunkim1026

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