A national curriculum is a common programme of study in schools that is designed to ensure nationwide uniformity of content and standards in education. It is usually legislated by the national government, possibly in consultation with state or other regional authorities.
National curriculum assessment generally means testing of students as to whether they meet the national standards.
Notable national curricula are:
The United States notably does not have one; the establishment of a national curriculum was explicitly banned in 1965, in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. This act provided federal funding for primary and secondary education ('Title I funding') as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty. However, most states in the United States voluntarily abide by the Common Core State Standards Initiative, which provides certain uniform standards, See Education in the United States.