Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA)

From all the team at ACARA, we’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our wonderful educators across Australia for everything you do. Your dedication and support helps encourage and inspire students to achieve their best. As we approach the festive season, on behalf of all of the team at ACARA, Season’s Greetings.   We look forward to continuing to work with you in 2025, towards our shared goal of inspiring improvement in the learning of all young Australians.  Please note, our offices will close at 5pm AEDT on Friday 20 December 2024 and reopen at 9am AEDT on Monday 6 January 2025. 

‘Dare to Differ: Inclusive and Innovative Languages Education’ was the theme of the Modern Languages Teachers’ Association of Victoria Conference, in Melbourne. Alison von Dietze, our Curriculum Specialist for Languages, spoke at one of the conference’s workshops about how to use the ACARA Language support resources for differentiating content in language programs for both primary and secondary students. She demonstrated how to adapt content for a range of language proficiencies and starting points within a single class. These resources include illustrative examples of language and language use. Learn more here: https://brnw.ch/21wPnww #AusCurric #aussieED

‘Addressing Contemporary Challenges in Mathematics Education’ was the topic of discussion at the 2024 The Mathematical Association of Victoria conference. Our Curriculum Specialist for Mathematics, Rachael Whitney-Smith was part of a panel discussion focused on the critical role of mathematics educators in preparing students for a future workforce. The panelists discussed several initiatives designed to enhance teacher wellbeing, foster collaboration, and cultivate leadership within the profession. You can learn more about Mathematics in the Australian Curriculum: https://brnw.ch/21wPkrO Rachael also delivered a workshop about AI in the Mathematics curriculum, which she co-presented with Dr Max Stephens from the University of Melbourne. The session identified areas in the curriculum where AI and mathematics intersect, and how mathematics underpins AI by providing a foundation for students to understand the strengths, limitations and risks of using AI. Find out more about the Curriculum connection: Artificial Intelligence https://brnw.ch/21wPkrP #AusCurric #aussieED #MAV24

Today marks the anniversary of the landmark 1992 #RedfernSpeech by the former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating. This powerful speech was the first public acknowledgement by an Australian Prime Minister of the dispossession of Indigenous people in Australia. Students can learn about this speech and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures as part of the cross curriculum priority in the Australian Curriculum. Learn more here: https://brnw.ch/21wEpJW Watch a video of speech online at https://lnkd.in/gs7SYT42 #AusCurric #aussieEd #Reconciliation

ACARA’s My School website has been updated for 2024 with the latest school-level NAPLAN data and new profile information on schools. My School gives parents and carers information about schools in their area, including on student and teacher numbers, attendance rates, income and expenditure, and NAPLAN results. It also provides principals and teachers with important insights into school performance. ACARA CEO Stephen Gniel said: “ACARA’s My School has detailed information on around 10,000 schools right across Australia. It’s the only website that provides parents, carers and the broader community with clear and transparent information on every Australian school.” Visit https://brnw.ch/21wPaAa for more details and read about this update in our media release: https://brnw.ch/21wPaAb

It’s International Day of People with Disability and this year the focus is on making a better future for all by supporting more people with disability to become leaders. The Australian Curriculum promotes inclusive teaching and supports all students to achieve their full potential. The CASE (Curriculum, Abilities, Standards, Evaluation) model helps teachers to make adjustments to teaching and learning plans, ensuring that every student receives rigorous, relevant and engaging learning experiences. Find out more about the Australian Curriculum and the CASE model: https://brnw.ch/21wP8NQ For more information about International Day of People with Disability 2024, visit: https://brnw.ch/21wP8NP #AusCurric #aussieED #idpwd2024

Our Curriculum Specialist for Mathematics, Rachael Whitney-Smith, joined more than a hundred numeracy leaders and educators at the Mathematical Association of Western Australia Annual Conference last week. Rachael delivered a presentation about supporting teachers in implementing the Mathematics curriculum and whole school numeracy planning. Topics covered included: • how the curriculum provides teachers with the knowledge, skills and strategies to effectively plan to help students develop mathematical proficiency and numeracy capabilities; • understanding the scope and sequencing of content, evidence collection and ways of connecting mathematics to the general capabilities of the curriculum: Critical and Creative Thinking, Digital Literacy and Ethical Understanding; and • how related content and concepts in the STEM learning areas can provide opportunities for enriching the learning of mathematics and integrating learning across the curriculum. Learn more: https://brnw.ch/21wP26F #AusCurric #aussieED

Our thanks to the The Japan Foundation, Sydney and the Monash Japanese Language Education Centre for inviting Alison von Dietze, our Curriculum Specialist for Languages to speak at the National Symposium for Japanese Language Education conference, University of Technology Sydney earlier this month. Alison presented workshops about the Australian Curriculum, Japanese Language and its connections through practical Japanese work samples. Find out more: https://brnw.ch/21wOYd2 She also demonstrated resources to support differentiated learning for both primary and secondary contexts, and addressed adapting content for the range of language proficiencies and starting points within a single class. These optional resources include illustrative examples of language and language use. Learn more here: https://brnw.ch/21wOYd1 #AusCurric #aussieED

Congratulations to the winners and thanks to ATO for having us as part of the judging panel for the competition. In the Australian Curriculum: Economics and Business, students can develop the knowledge and skills to make responsible and informed decisions about consumer issues, money management and assets. Find out more: https://brnw.ch/21wOnji

#WorldChildrensDay is UNICEF’s global day of action for children, by children, and marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This year’s theme is ‘Let’s get loud to make Australia an even better place for every child’. On World Children’s Day, UNICEF Australia is encouraging children of all ages to share their ideas on how to make Australia an even better place for children – a country where every child is healthy, safe, educated and involved. Learn more: https://brnw.ch/21wONn6 The Australian Curriculum supports all students’ learning from Foundation to Year 10 so they can become confident and creative individuals, and active and informed citizens. Find out more: https://brnw.ch/21wONn7 #AusCurric #aussieEd