Greater national consistency in curricula
The Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop
MP, today announced a new initiative to help develop core curricula
standards which will lay the foundation for improving the quality and
consistency of curricula in Australian schools.
All State and Territory Ministers for Education recently agreed to
develop nationally consistent curricula. The Australian Government’s $13
million Realising Our Potential – core curricula standards initiative
cements this commitment to develop nationally consistent standards in key
subject areas.
All Australian students stand to benefit from the improved consistency in
standards across the country, particularly the 80,000 students who move
interstate each year. Improved standards will be an advantage during a
student’s school years, and as they enter employment and further education.
"Better educational outcomes lead to increased productivity and
Australia’s competitive advantage needs to be built through higher standards
and greater national consistency," Minister Bishop said.
"Standards for curricula will enable a comparison of student achievement
across Australia and help assure parents that students will be treated
fairly across state borders."
The Australian Government will work with the states and territories to
develop core standards for curricula in English, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and
Australian History for Years 11 and 12, and for English, Maths, Science and
Australian History for Year 10.
In addition, as a condition of schools funding, jurisdictions will be
required to meet the core national standards from 1 January 2009 but they
will be free to develop their own syllabus and materials. States and
territories will also be required to include a component of rigorous
external assessment (for example, public examinations) as part of Year 12
certificates.
Development of standards will draw on national and international best
practice and involve consultation with education authorities, universities
and peak employer groups.
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Media Contacts |
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| Minister Bishop’s Office: |
Tory Vidler |
0414 228 727 |
| Dept of Education, Science & Training: |
Virginia Cook |
0412 971 323 |
| Non-media queries: |
1300 363 079 |
Supporting Information
Why is this important?
Currently, it is not possible to compare student achievement across
jurisdictions. Year 12 qualifications are not comparable and there is
inconsistency in curricula standards across Australia.
This funding will be used to develop, by 2009, core curricula
standards in English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and
Australian History for Years 11 and 12, and for English, Mathematics,
Science and Australian History for Year 10. This is an essential
ingredient in a national approach to curricula.
A recent study conducted by the Australian Council for Educational
Research (ACER) investigated the curriculum content and achievement
standards of five selected Year 12 subjects across Australia, including
English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and Australian History. The
study found that there is a huge array of disparity across the states
and territories in Mathematics (27 different tertiary entrance courses
offered across Australia), History (20 different courses offered and
only two called ‘Australian History’) and English (18 courses offered).
Who will benefit?
All Australian students will benefit, particularly the 80,000
students who move interstate each year. Improved consistency in
standards will also benefit students as they enter employment and
further education.
Common core standards will be nationally recognised by employers and
training institutions. Parents can be satisfied that students are
treated fairly across the country and meet consistent standards.
What funding is the Government committing to the initiative?
The Australian Government is committing $13 million over two years
to the development of core curricula standards.
What have we done in the past?
National curricula have been discussed for over 30 years with
limited success. The states and territories have recently come on board
to develop nationally consistent curricula. This initiative will assist
jurisdictions to meet this agreement.
When will the initiative conclude?
The development of core curricula standards in key areas will be
concluded by 31 December 2008. From 1 January 2009, states and
territories will be required under their funding agreements, to ensure
their curricula meet the core standards in each selected subject for
Years 10, 11 and 12. They will also be required to include rigorous
external assessments (for example, public examinations) as part of Year
12 exit certificates.
