A better national curriculum for all Australian students

05 Mar 2015 Media release

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority’s (ACARA) will begin to implement key recommendations of the Australian Government’s Review of the Australian Curriculum following the endorsement of their proposal by education ministers today.

“With unanimous support from state and territory education ministers ACARA will now take action to address the issues highlighted in the Australian Government’s initial response to the Review of the Australian Curriculum,” Mr Pyne said.

ACARA will address the overcrowding and rebalancing of the Australian Curriculum by:

  • Reducing the quantity of content adding more depth and less breadth. .
  • Combining history, geography, civics and citizenship and economics and business into a single combined humanities and social sciences subject for primary schools
  • Improve clarity, reducing duplication and complexity – especially in the way cross curriculum priorities and general capabilities are presented
  • Strengthening the presence of phonics and phonemic awareness
  • Improving the accessibility for all students especially those with disabilities
  • Making the curriculum more parent friendly

“These changes reflect the key recommendations of the Government’s initial response to the curriculum review and I am pleased ACARA will begin the work to address them,” Mr Pyne said.

“We want every student to have a quality education with access to the best teachers and with a national curriculum that is robust, balanced and relevant.

“The Australian Government and ACARA remain focussed on achieving the best possible education outcomes for all Australian students.”

The Australian Curriculum can be viewed at www.australiancurriculum.edu.au.


Tags: students first,