The Australian Curriculum
The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) is responsible for:
- The development of a national curriculum from Foundation to Year 12 in specified learning areas
- Management of a national assessment program that measures students' progress
- A national data collection and reporting program that supports:
- analysis, evaluation, research and resource allocation
- accountability and reporting on schools.
NT Australian Curriculum updates
The Foundation - Year 10 Curriculum
On 8 December 2010, Australian education ministers endorsed the content for Foundation to Year 10 Phase 1 learning areas of English, mathematics, science and history. All ministers also agreed to substantial implementation of Phase 1 learning areas by 2013. Foundation in the Australian Curriculum refers to the year before Year 1. In the Northern Territory this year of schooling is called Transition.
Phase 1 of the Australian Curriculum is published online and available at www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/Home. The curriculum is specifically designed to be accessed online. It incorporates a range of features that will enable teachers to view and filter the curriculum.
Phase 2 learning areas currently under development include geography, languages and the arts. Phase 3 learning areas include health and physical education, technologies (comprising ICT and design and technology), civics and citizenship and business and economics. Implementation timelines for Phase 2 and 3 Australian Curriculum learning areas are still to be determined by education ministers.
Implementation of the Australian Curriculum in the NT
Whilst ACARA is responsible for the development of the national curriculum, implementation is the responsibility of each state and territory.
Timelines
The Northern Territory Board of Studies (NTBOS) endorsed the following implementation timelines for Phase 1 of the Australian Curriculum in Northern Territory schools for students in Transition to Year 10:
- English and mathematics – pilot 2011 and implement 2012;
- Science and history – limited pilot 2011, pilot 2012 and implement 2013.
During 2011 twenty two schools piloted the Phase 1 Australian Curriculum learning areas of English, maths, science and history from Transition to Year 10. The purpose of the pilot was to provide advice to the system around implementation of the Australian Curriculum in the NT context. This advice informed the development of systemic support for all schools to implement Phase 1 of the Australian Curriculum.
While NT schools are transitioning to the F-10 Australian Curriculum the intended curriculum will be a combination of the Australian Curriculum and the Northern Territory Curriculum Framework/ Year 10 curriculum.
Resourcing
A range of resources and services are being developed to support schools with implementation including online information and professional learning modules.
A range of materials designed to assist schools to implement the Australian Curriculum are available on the Learning Links Portal. Curriculum, Teaching and Phases of Learning Division (CTPOL) will work with regional curriculum teams to support schools to implement the Australian Curriculum.
The Senior Years team will work directly with schools to support the implementation of the Year 10 Australian Curriculum.
Contacts
Curriculum, Teaching and Phases of Learning Division
t: (08) 8944 9200
e: ntbos@nt.gov.au