The purpose of this study is to investigate changes in the perceptions and instructional practices of Integrated Science teachers following the reform of the 2028 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), which designates Integrated Science as a mandato...
The purpose of this study is to investigate changes in the perceptions and instructional practices of Integrated Science teachers following the reform of the 2028 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), which designates Integrated Science as a mandatory test subject. To achieve this, a survey instrument was developed to assess teachers' perceptions (impact of the reform, instructional goals, and methods) and their actual instructional practices (teaching methods, lesson preparation, and challenges). The survey, consisting of 42 items (30 multiple-choice and 12 open-ended), was refined based on previous literature and validated through expert review and a pilot study. Participants included 53 high school science teachers in the Yeongnam region, 30 of whom had experience teaching Integrated Science both before and after the reform announcement. Data collected online were analyzed using frequency and content analysis. The key findings are as follows: First, teachers perceived the Integrated CSAT reform as having a more negative than positive impact on their classes. Second, the primary instructional goal shifted from "fostering interest and curiosity" before the reform to "understanding scientific concepts" after the reform, while "lecture and problem-solving" remained the top-ranked teaching method throughout. Third, in practice, the proportion of lecture-based problem-solving increased, whereas student-participatory activities decreased. Fourth, there was a growing reliance on mock exams and past CSAT questions during lesson preparation. Fifth, teachers faced significant challenges in teaching non-major content and developing CSAT-style assessment items, identifying unit-specific instructional resources and materials as the most needed form of support. These results suggest that the CSAT reform may undermine the original goals of Integrated Science—cultivating convergent thinking and scientific literacy—while stifling student-centered instruction. This indicates that changes in the university entrance system can hinder the attainment of national curriculum objectives. Therefore, the CSAT should be designed to better reflect the educational purposes of Integrated Science. Furthermore, practical and systematic support, such as the development of teaching models that balance lectures with participatory activities, is essential for teachers.