Aligned Instructional Systems Australia
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Aligned Instructional Systems: Australia Written by Tina Isaacs and Brian Creese, with Alvaro Gonzalez With contributions from: Arthur Chapman, Justin Dillon, Esme Glauert, Paul Grainger, Martin Hollins, Jenny Houssart, David Lambert, David Mitchell, Candia Morgan, Gemma Moss, David Pepper, Richard Shewry and Cathy Smith This report was funded by the National Center on Education and the Economy. The authors are grateful for the help provided by Suzanne North, Martin Mills, Chris Davidson, Ben Jensen and Doug McCurry who have read and commented on the report Aligned Instructional Systems – Australia Page 1 Contents Australia ................................................................................................................................... 6 History and background ........................................................................................................... 6 Structure of school system ...................................................................................................... 7 Pre-compulsory education ................................................................................................... 7 Post-compulsory education .................................................................................................. 8 Special needs education ...................................................................................................... 8 Policy, aims and vision ............................................................................................................ 8 21st Century Skills .................................................................................................................... 9 Innovation in Education Australia ....................................................................................... 10 Accountability ......................................................................................................................... 10 Setting Standards .................................................................................................................. 12 Public/Private ..................................................................................................................... 13 Teacher training ..................................................................................................................... 14 The National Professional Standards for Teachers ........................................................... 15 Australia’s Curriculum ............................................................................................................ 17 Language of instruction ...................................................................................................... 18 Assessment overview ............................................................................................................ 18 Certification ........................................................................................................................ 19 International testing (Australia, New South Wales and Queensland) .................................... 20 New South Wales .................................................................................................................. 24 History and Background ........................................................................................................ 24 Structure of educational system ............................................................................................ 24 School year ........................................................................................................................ 24 Types of schooling/ages of transition ................................................................................. 24 Twenty First Century skills ..................................................................................................... 25 Governance ........................................................................................................................... 26 Accountability ......................................................................................................................... 26 Setting Standards .................................................................................................................. 27 Teacher training ..................................................................................................................... 28 Initial Teacher Training ....................................................................................................... 28 Early Career Teaching ....................................................................................................... 28 Aligned Instructional Systems – Australia Page 2 Continuous Professional Development .............................................................................. 29 Curriculum Overview ............................................................................................................. 29 Years K-6 ........................................................................................................................... 29 Years 7-10 .......................................................................................................................... 30 Years 11-12 ........................................................................................................................ 30 New South Wales and the Australian National Curriculum ................................................ 31 Assessment Overview ........................................................................................................... 31 K - 6 assessment ............................................................................................................... 31 7 - 12 assessment .............................................................................................................. 32 Assessment for Learning ................................................................................................... 32 National Testing: NAPLAN ................................................................................................. 33 Detailed analysis of curriculum .............................................................................................. 34 Primary: English language ................................................................................................. 35 Primary: Mathematics ........................................................................................................ 37 Primary: Science ................................................................................................................ 40 Primary: Social Studies/History .......................................................................................... 44 Secondary: English language ............................................................................................ 48 Secondary: Mathematics .................................................................................................... 55 Secondary: Science ........................................................................................................... 63 Secondary: Earth Science .................................................................................................. 66 Secondary: Biology ............................................................................................................ 68 Secondary: Chemistry ........................................................................................................ 74 Secondary: Physics ............................................................................................................ 77 Secondary: History ............................................................................................................. 80 Secondary: Geography ...................................................................................................... 91 Vocational education .......................................................................................................... 94 Reflections/Observations ......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Focus on teachers ................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Structural changes ............................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Governance .......................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Closing the student performance gap in rural and remote schools .... Error! Bookmark not defined. Principals’ pay reforms ......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Aligned Instructional Systems – Australia Page 3 Queensland ........................................................................................................................... 99 History and Background ........................................................................................................ 99 Structure of the school system ............................................................................................ 100 Pre-compulsory education ............................................................................................... 100 Post-compulsory education .............................................................................................. 100 Vocational education and training .................................................................................... 101 Special