Rethinking national curriculum collaboration: towards an Australian curriculum [Research Fellowship Scheme report]

This report is the outcome of a research project which aimed to explore whether the concept of national curriculum collaboration for the compulsory years of schooling is still relevant in a globalising world, and, if so, how it might be advanced in more educationally productive ways, whilst recognising the constitutional realities of Australia’s federal system. The author conducted an extensive literature review of international curricula and previous approaches to national curriculum collaboration, followed by an analysis and critique of the official curricula of all Australian States and Territories. Interviews and discussions with leading Australian curriculum scholars and educational bureaucrats were also undertaken. Research findings indicate that a national curriculum would be beneficial to students and encourage consistency across jurisdictions.

The author proposes that a national approach to curriculum should be based on and consistent with a clearly articulated rationale, purposes and philosophical reference points; a theorised and articulated view of curriculum; a strong research and conceptual base; a process that engages the professional community in the conceptual phases; a process that seeks to build a constituency of support; and a recognition of the political realities produced by the Australian Federal system. He stresses that the curriculum needs to be geared towards developing capabilities, as well as achieving definite goals in the acquisition of specific knowledge. The idea of curriculum must go beyond the formal institutions of education to embrace skills needed in the workplace, community and recreational settings. The capabilities-based approach is one way by which to ground the concept of life-long learning in a knowledge society. This report is funded under the Research Fellowship Scheme of the Department of Education, Science and Training.

Executive summary: view HTML    

Download PDF    (407.2 KB, 72 pages)