December 2010     After a lengthy consultation process, Federal, State and Territory Ministers made the historic decision to endorse the first ever Australian Curriculum at the Ministerial Council meeting in Canberra.  Minister for School Education, Peter Garrett, said this decision means the Australian Curriculum for K-10 English, mathematics, science and history will begin the next stage of implementation in 2011.

“This is a landmark decision and is a significant national reform. This will deliver implementation of a consistent, forward-looking and world-class Australian Curriculum that will benefit Australian students, families and teachers,” Mr Garrett said.

“The Australian Curriculum is truly a curriculum for the 21st century. It will be among the world’s first curriculum delivered online. It is a vital plank of an education system that gives our young people the skills, knowledge and understanding they need to contribute to our national economy no matter where they live.”

“Importantly it will also provide the personal and life skills kids need to be active citizens and positive contributors to our community,” Mr Garrett said.

The development and implementation of the Australian Curriculum is vital to our goal of giving every child a great education. Through transparency, consistency and quality in teaching and learning we will drive improvements in every school in the country.

“This next stage of work will be conducted through the national process coordinated through the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) on behalf of Ministers. It will be done in close consultation with state and territory authorities and educational stakeholders and the teaching profession, with regular progress reports to stakeholders and Ministers,” Mr Garrett said.

ACARA will finalise, for Ministers’ approval, the achievement standards and any adjustments and refinements that may need to be made to the content of the curriculum by October 2011.

“The consultation process has been extensive – mums, dads, teachers, principals and professionals have all had a say about what should be included in the curriculum.  And I’d encourage everyone to take the time to go online and check out the new Australian Curriculum.

“I welcome the decision by Ministers today to take the next step in the Australian Curriculum process. I look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.”

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

From information provided by the Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth, December 8, 2010.

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