At the heart of accusations of a crowded curriculum are concerns key areas — such as literacy and numeracy — will be compromised by an insidious creep towards content such as gender issues.
Australia’s curriculum is being reviewed for the first time since 2014. The proposed changes include positive additions to acknowledge our many cultures. But there are some reductive changes, too.
There’s a lack of evidence school banking programs lead to better financial literacy. And their removal in Victoria might be the impetus schools need to take financial education more seriously.
In a recent survey, 64% of youths said they’ve experienced bushfires, heatwaves and drought in the past three years. But 88% believe they’re not taught to protect themselves and their communities.
Many teachers want to teach Indigenous perspectives but often lack confidence or know-how. Teachers must be willing to confront the ongoing effects of colonialism in and outside the classroom.
A picture titled ‘Captain Cook taking possession of the Australian continent on behalf of the British crown, AD 1770’. Drawn and engraved by Samuel Calvert from an historical painting by Gilfillan in the possession of the Royal Society of Victoria.
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Many school kids may be studying from home as their schools have closed or they need to isolate themselves for other reasons. Parents won’t need to be teachers, but more teachers’ aids.
Every child progresses at different levels, just like everyone learns to talk and walk at different times.
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Generally speaking, if your English-speaking child is at least six years old by the end of the year, there are some standard things they should know and be able to do.
The general idea of personalised learning is where teachers help students understand key concepts through individualised learning and group work.
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Many rely on David Gonski’s ideas to shape the future of education policy. But his recommendation of personalised learning is a scripted, rigid version of education that will take us backwards.
Why would striking students end up in the ‘dole’ queue’ when they’re seeking to understand a global issue, taking action and clearly articulating their perspective?
Julien De Rosa/AAP
When politicians caution against student strikes for climate action, they are going against the aims of Australia’s curriculum to develop citizens with a social conscience, willing to take action.
Regardless of who wins next year’s federal election, it’s time for us to all get on the same page.
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2018 was a mixed bag for schooling policy in Australia, with new ministers, a new organisation and auspicious anniversaries. It’s worth reflecting on the year that’s been.
Politicians meddling in the history curriculum is nothing new, and it holds back progress in how history is taught.
Peter Rae/AAP
Australia has been having the same disagreement about what and how history should be taught. We need to move on and listen to the evidence so our children have the best history education possible.
The benefits of mixed-ability classes are shared by all.
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One Nation Queensland leader Steve Dickson said the Safe Schools program contained ‘highly explicit material’ that is being ‘directed at young children’. We asked the experts to look at the facts.
By the age of 16, most teenagers have already made up their mind about climate change.
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Players in the climate science game ‘CO2peration’ become a particle of sunlight, and travel on a journey to find out why we have liquid water at Earth’s surface.
This pamphlet, authorised by the Australian Conservatives, was received in a letter box in a Victorian suburb in September.
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‘Vote No’ campaign material distributed by the Australian Conservatives claims that if same-sex marriage is legalised, the Safe Schools program will be ‘mandatory in schools’. We looked at the facts.
Research shows young people are passionate about issues like marriage equality, but many do not understand how governments are formed and prime ministers elected.
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Last week the states agreed to the implementation of changes to the national school curriculum brought about by the National Curriculum Review undertaken last year.
Christopher Pyne’s policies in the education portfolio were underpinned by liberal values of the free market, autonomy and education as a private commodity.