Curriculum K-12 Directorate October 2010

 Why an Australian Curriculum?  The NSW context  Shape of the Australian Curriculum  Challenges and opportunities for school implementation

Consider: 1. Why is the Australian Curriculum being developed? 2. What might the following groups want from the curriculum? ◦ Students and parents ◦ Industry and business ◦ Educators

The Australian Curriculum:  Recognises the entitlement of all students to a core of knowledge, understanding and skills that provide a foundation for future learning, growth and participation in society.  Acknowledges that students learn in different ways and at different rates and that the needs and interests of students will vary.

 The Melbourne Declaration guides the development of the Australian Curriculum.  In the declaration Australian governments committed to support all young Australians to become:  successful learners  confident and creative individuals  active and informed citizens.

 The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) has been set up for this purpose and is based in Sydney.  ACARA is responsible for ◦ a national curriculum (K-12) ◦ a national assessment program ◦ national data collection and reporting

 The Education Act 1990  The Education Act 1990 is the legislative framework for education in NSW.  NSW Board of Studies  NSW Board of Studies coordinates, across all sectors, the NSW response to the Australian Curriculum for the NSW Minister.  Curriculum K-12 Directorate  Curriculum K-12 Directorate coordinates feedback across DET schools, regions and state office and provides advice to DG. Minister  The Minister will determine the suitability of the Australian Curriculum for NSW and set timelines for implementation.

The Australian Curriculum:  Sets out the nationally agreed curriculum, including what all students are to be taught (content) and the quality of learning expected by years or bands of schooling (achievement standards) in all Australian schools.  Comprised of: ◦ 8 learning areas ◦ General capabilities that are integrated across learning areas ◦ 3 cross curriculum priorities  The Curriculum is being developed in 3 phases.

Learning areaPhase of development English1 Mathematics1 Science1 Humanities and social sciences History Geography Economics, Business 5-8 Civics and citizenship The Arts2 Languages2 Health PE3 Technologies3

Learning areas Numeracy ICT Thinking skills Creativity Self management Teamwork Social competence Ethical behaviour Intercultural understanding Literacy

Learning areas Indigenous history and culture Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia Commitment to sustainable living

 Consultation on draft closed May 2010  Key NSW issues: ◦ Time allocations and balance of the whole curriculum ◦ Lack of conceptual frameworks ◦ Content overload ◦ Integration of general capabilities and priorities ◦ Quality of content descriptions ◦ Achievement standards ◦ Meeting needs of every student  Work is continuing at ACARA and curriculum may be finalised later in 2010

 Consultation on draft closed July 2010  Released without achievement standards  Key issues: ◦ Clarity about purposes of schooling in Years ◦ Relationship of courses ◦ Timetabling issues ◦ Lack of conceptual frameworks ◦ Content overload ◦ Terminology ◦ Integration of general capabilities and priorities ◦ Meeting needs of every student  Due for further consultation in 2011

Stage of development GeographyThe ArtsLanguages Curriculum Shaping July 2009-June 2010 Aug 2009 – September ConsultationJune-August 2010 Oct-Dec 2010Late 2010 Curriculum development October 2010 – February 2011 Dec March 2011 TBA ConsultationMarch-May 2011May – July 2011TBA PublicationSeptember 2011November 2011TBA

 Agreement was reached at the MCEECDYA April meeting on phase 3 learning areas and the timetable for development.  More information about phase 3 Australian Curriculum development yet to be released

 Encourage your staff to participate in: ◦ ACARA consultation processes ◦ NSW DET consultation processes e/national.htm e/national.htm ◦ Board of Studies NSW consultation processes

 Official Notice - BOS 18/10 14 May 2010  Board advised that all schools in NSW are to continue to use the existing NSW K–12 syllabuses for 2011

YearActions 2010 Participate in consultation for Shape papers for The Arts and Languages Proposed release of K-10 phase 1 curriculum 2011 Use existing NSW Board syllabuses in all NSW schools Participate in ACARA consultation for phases 2 and 3 Semester 2 plan for school professional learning and implementation processes for K-10 phase 1 curriculum 2012 Professional learning and school implementation processes of K-10 phase 1 curriculum Participate in ongoing ACARA consultation for phases 2 and Substantial Implementation of phase 1 K-10 Australian Curriculum