National Curriculum
Index
Introduction
In 2008 the Commonwealth Government announced that a national curriculum will be developed for all Australian school students. The new curriculum will cover all school years from Prep to Year 12. Curriculum development will start with four subjects, English, mathematics, the sciences and history. This will be followed by Geography, Languages Other Than English and The Arts. There have been no announcements about the inclusion of other subjects in the national curriculum.
The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) was established and is made up of nominees from each State and Territory.
Victoria is represented on the ACARA Board by John Firth, Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. The Victorian Minister for Education, the Hon Bronwyn Pike, has expressed the full support of Victoria for the development of the national curriculum.
The Shape of the National Curriculum: A Proposal for discussion and four Initial Advice papers for the development of curriculum in English, mathematics, history and the sciences were published in September 2008. Following consultation on these Initial Advice papers, framing papers for each of the four subject areas were published in November 2008.
In May 2009, The Shape of the National Curriculum and Framing Paper Consultation Reports were published. All the papers are available on the ACARA website.
To provide feedback on the papers and participate in the work of the ACARA, go to the ACARA website.
VCAA State Reference Group
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority has established a State Reference Group to manage the process for gathering and reporting ongoing feedback from Victorian stakeholders in relation to the development of the National Curriculum. The State Reference Group will advise the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority Board on implications for Victorian stakeholders.
VCAA forums on developments in National Curriculum
The VCAA conducted State-wide forums in October – November 2008 to inform Victorian educators about developments in the work of the National Curriculum Board. Further forums will be conducted in 2009 on dates to be advised.
Presentation presented at VCAA Subject forums - Powerpoint (PPT - 1.9MB)
Presentation presented at VCAA Regional forums - Powerpoint (PPT - 2.2MB)
English
The VCAA, in conjunction with relevant professional teaching associations, conducted a preliminary forum for English on Wednesday 29 October at Princes Hill Secondary College. At that time, the National English Curriculum: Initial Advice paper was available to participants. Issues raised at, and in response to, the forum can be viewed at:
Presentation presented by VCAA English Curriculum Manager - Powerpoint (PPT - 1.3MB)
Summary of issues raised at English forum - Word (DOC - 604KB)
The National English Curriculum - framing paper was subsequently published on the ACARA website.
The Shape of the Australian Curriculum: English is published on the ACARA website.
Mathematics
The VCAA conducted a preliminary forum for Mathematics on Tuesday 28 October at Loreto-Mandeville Hall. At that time, the National Mathematics Curriculum: Initial Advice paper was available to participants. Issues raised at, and in response to, the forum can be viewed at
Presentation presented by VCAA Mathematics Curriculum Manager - Powerpoint (PPT - 1.9MB)
Summary of issues raised at Mathematics forum - Word (DOC - 44KB)
The National Mathematics Curriculum - framing paper was subsequently published on the ACARA website.
The Shape of the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics is published on the ACARA website.
History
The VCAA conducted a preliminary forum for History on Tuesday 28 October at University High School. At that time, the National History Curriculum: Initial Advice paper was available to participants. Issues raised at, and in response to, the forum can be viewed at
Presentation presented by VCAA History Curriculum Manager - Powerpoint (PPT - 1.3MB)
Summary of issues raised at History forum - Word (DOC - 88KB)
The National History Curriculum - framing paper was subsequently published on the ACARA website.
The Shape of the Australian Curriculum: History is published on the ACARA website.
Sciences
The VCAA conducted a preliminary forum for Science on Thursday 30 October at Northcote High School. At that time, the National Sciences Curriculum: Initial Advice paper was available to participants. Issues raised at, and in response to, the forum can be viewed at
Presentation presented by VCAA Sciences Curriculum Manager - Powerpoint (PPT - 1.9MB)
Summary of issues raised at Sciences forum - Word (DOC - 112KB)
Sciences forum report - Word (DOC - 104KB)
The National Sciences Curriculum - framing paper was subsequently published on the ACARA website.
The Shape of the Australian Curriculum: Science is published on the ACARA website.
National curriculum developments and implementation update
The writing of the national curriculum in the first four subjects of English, Mathematics, Science and History has now commenced. The VCAA plans to hold consultation forums late in term three to seek feedback on initial drafts of these documents. It is expected that final drafts will be completed by the end of the year with extensive trialling and validation taking place during 2010.
It is expected that implementation of the national curriculum will commence in 2011. However, the full timelines and processes for implementation have not yet been determined.
The VCAA will be working closely with the new Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) and Victorian sectoral authorities to ensure that the timelines and processes associated with the national curriculum provide both adequate planning time and strong support for the transition to the national curriculum for all schools.
Schools are advised not to make pre-emptive decisions about curriculum planning and associated resources based on assumptions about the implementation of the national curriculum. The VCAA will work with sectoral authorities to ensure that timely advice is provided to all schools to support a planned and structured transition to the national curriculum.
Current ACARA publications are available at the ACARA website.
Briefing by ACARA on 2 July 2009
Approximately 80 representatives of education peak bodies, subject associations and DEECD attended a briefing hosted by the VCAA and presented by John Gougoulis, Curriculum Manager, ACARA, on 2 July 2009. The briefing provided an update on national curriculum developments and outlined the proposed processes for the year ahead.
National Curriculum Briefing Powerpoint (PPT - 688KB)
Contact Us / Feedback
Provide feedback to the VCAA Victorian State Reference Group by email to: curriculum.vcaa@edumail.vic.gov.au
