A new national curriculum from 2016

Significant changes to the national curriculum from Foundation to Year 10 have been endorsed today by the Education Council, delivering on one of the Coalition Government’s key commitments.

The changes made to the Australian Curriculum by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) were in response to the Review of the Australian Curriculum initiated last year conducted by Professor Ken Wiltshire and Dr Kevin Donnelly.

These changes will resolve the overcrowding in the primary curriculum, boost the teaching of phonics and strengthen references to Western influences in Australia’s history.

There are also plans for improving the accessibility of the curriculum for students with a disability and improving parental engagement around the curriculum that were endorsed today.

The meeting also endorsed the Foundation to Year 10 Australian Curriculum: Technologies, where students can learn important skills in problem solving and technical skills such as coding, right from their early years.

“I am absolutely delighted these changes have been endorsed today and thank the State and Territory Ministers for their support,” Mr Pyne said.

The endorsement of the Technologies curriculum complement the Coalition Government’s investment of $3.5 million over four years in resources that support teaching coding in schools.

“The Coding across the Curriculum initiative will increase student engagement and support high quality teaching in technologies.”

“I want our students to get the best education and am pleased the Education Council has united to focus on achieving the best outcomes for all Australian students.”

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