The National Curriculum – Part Two

Moving quickly ahead to the current mess schools now find themselves in we have ACARA to bring us up to date:

In 2008, all governments agreed a national curriculum was needed to deliver an equitable, quality education for all young Australians and the national curriculum was developed over a number of years.

Over the years new learning areas and subjects were progressively added to the Australian Curriculum (F-10).

“The Australian Curriculum is an explicit statement of the priorities and aspirations we hold for our young people. It makes clear to teachers and schools the key knowledge, understanding and skills our young people need to be successful in life, which is also at the heart of these changes.

“The changes also reflect consultation with the education community, including teachers, principals and subject associations. They are in line with international best practice as seen in countries such as Finland and Japan, which are frequently cited in OECD research for their longer, stable curriculum cycles.

“The revised Australian Curriculum review process reflects the extensive work each state and territory undertakes with teachers and the wider school community to implement the Australian Curriculum in their local context. The iterative review process will mean that we can ensure that the curriculum remains relevant and responsive.

“ACARA will work with partners in the states and territories, and with other stakeholders, to explore whether changes are needed to the curriculum content in Mathematics for Foundation to Year 2, and explore whether additional support that provides greater specificity and clarity is needed to help teachers bring the subject to life in the classroom and improve outcomes.”

What’s changed in the new Australian Curriculum?

The latest Australian Curriculum Review made improvements to the Foundation to Year 10 curriculum by refining, realigning and decluttering the content.

The Australian Curriculum, Version 9.0 is a more stripped-back and teachable curriculum that identifies the essential content our children should learn.

Overall, there’s a reduction in content, as well as better alignment between achievement standards and content descriptions, and improved links between learning areas and the general capabilities and cross-curriculum priorities.

Summary of key changes

the removal and reduction of content so the curriculum can be taught with depth and rigour, including a 21% reduction in the number of content descriptions, which describe what is to be taught and what students are expected to learn
a stronger focus on students mastering the essential mathematical facts, skills, concepts and processes, and being introduced to these at the right time
making clear what mathematical computations need to be done without a calculator, reinforcing the importance of achieving proficiency in foundational skills
a revision of the sequencing of content in Mathematics; in particular, telling time, introduction of fractions, recall of multiplication facts (“times tables’) and solving equations
lifting standards for Mathematics in Year 1 in relation to addition and subtraction, with additional content setting expectations about recall and proficiency with multiplication facts, beginning in Year 2
prioritising Australian history within a global context in Years 9 and 10
deepening students’ understanding of First Nations Australian histories and cultures, the impact on - and perspectives of - First Nations Australians of the arrival of British settlers as well as their contribution to the building of modern Australia
strengthening and making explicit teaching about the origins and Christian and Western heritage of Australia's democracy, as well as about the diversity of Australian communities
strengthening the explicit teaching of consent and respectful relationships from F–10 in age-appropriate ways
addition of privacy and security in the Digital Technologies curriculum
strengthening the focus on students being physically active and increased content with a focus on activity in natural and outdoor settings.
strengthening the Foundation year by identifying the essential content to teach in the first year of school across all 8 learning areas.

ACARA is also undertaking further work in the important area of mental health for young Australians. This will be reflected in later updates to the Health and Physical Education curriculum.

In June 2021, following media reports that the proposed national curriculum was "preoccupied with the oppression, discrimination and struggles of Indigenous Australians", the Australian Senate approved a motion tabled by right-wing senator Pauline Hanson calling on the federal government to reject critical race theory, despite it not being included in the curriculum.