ACARA Update, March 2016

NAPLAN 2016 aligned with the Australian Curriculum20160330 pencil

This year, NAPLAN has been aligned to the Australian Curriculum: English and the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics. Previously, the tests were based on the Statements of learning for English and the Statements of learning for mathematics.

The best preparation for NAPLAN is to continue focusing on teaching the curriculum. The Australian Curriculum for English and mathematics has been implemented in all states and territories. It incorporates the essential learning described in the Statements of learning and provides a broader common curriculum for teaching and learning in English and mathematics for all Australian students.

While most items in the NAPLAN 2016 test will be similar to past tests, there will be some important but subtle differences in some tests.

See more information on the NAP website.

 

ACARA CEO responds to article in The Australian20160330 newspaper

An article in The Australian on Friday 18 March entitled ‘Rigid curriculum fails students with special needs’ by Professor Kenneth Wiltshire raises some points regarding the development of the Australian Curriculum.

Throughout the development of the Australian Curriculum, ACARA's focus has been on developing a curriculum that describes a progression of learning and makes clear to teachers, parents, students and the wider community both what is to be taught, and the quality of learning expected of young people as they progress through school.

The curriculum sets expectations. It does not determine how the learning needs of individual students are best met. Schools and systems around Australia make these decisions on the basis of their knowledge of their students.

ACARA has worked with key stakeholders throughout Australia to provide advice to support teachers in meeting their obligations under the Disability Standards for Education 2005 and to ensure that all students with disability are able to participate in the Australian Curriculum on the same basis as their peers through rigorous, meaningful and dignified learning programs.

Later this year ACARA will publish links to the wide range of resources and advice available in states and territories specifically to support teachers in their work with students with disability.

Rather than read what some commentators have to say about the curriculum, I encourage all those interested in improving the education of young Australians to read about what is actually expected by visiting the Australian Curriculum website.

Robert Randall,
ACARA CEO

Read the latest Primary Matters

A new edition of Primary Matters (PDF 533 kb), ACARA's newsletter for primary school teachers, is now available.

 

Registration of Australian Curriculum codes20160330 books

ACARA has been collaborating with Education Services Australia (ESA) to register five Australian Curriculum codes with the Library of Congress.

Read more in Connections, ESA Schools Catalogue Information Service’s quarterly journal.