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Student Diversity

The Shape of the Australian Curriculum (October 2011) describes ACARA’s commitment to supporting equity of access to the Australian Curriculum for all learners and to developing a curriculum that will equip all young Australians with the essential skills, knowledge and capabilities to thrive and compete in a globalised world. All young Australians include students with multiple, diverse and changing needs that are shaped by individual learning histories and abilities as well as personal, cultural and language backgrounds and socio-economic factors.

The curriculum materials, information sheets and resources in this section of the website will assist teachers to interpret and use the Australian Curriculum for students with diverse backgrounds and from across a range of contexts.

In 2011, ACARA commissioned the Australian Special Education Principals Association (ASEPA) to provide an overview analysis of current international and national policy in and practice in relation to curriculum, assessment and reporting for students with special educational needs and disability. This work was undertaken by ASEPA in partnership with the University of Adelaide and the University of Northampton (UK). The report can be accessed here and provides a thematic overview of recent literature in this area.

The Australian Curriculum – accessible for all young Australians

The development of the Australian Curriculum is shaped by propositions, two of which are:

The Australian Curriculum recognises the entitlement of each student to knowledge, understanding and skills that provide a foundation for successful and lifelong learning and participation in the Australian community
The Australian Curriculum is based on the assumptions that each student can learn and the needs of every student are important. It enables high expectations to be set for each student as teachers account for the current levels of learning of individual students and the different rates at which students develop (ACARA, 2011, 9).

For further information click here.

Students with Disability Curriculum

ACARA is committed to the development of high-quality curriculum for all young Australians, while understanding the diverse and complex nature of students with disability. ACARA's Students with Disability Advisory Group provides ACARA with high level advice in relation to students with disability across its core business areas of curriculum, assessment and reporting. For more information and to learn about students with disability curriculum please click here.

From 21 September 2011 to 1 November 2011 ACARA conducted online consultation focusing on the Australian Curriculum: English Progressing to Foundation and Mathematics Progressing to Foundation for students with disability.

Having received responses from a wide range of stakeholders including state and territory education authorities, teachers, principals, parents, academics and professional associations, ACARA has produced a Consultation Report that provides a summary of key consultation findings along with an overview of areas for further development in the Australian Curriculum for students with disability.

Click here to view the Consultation Report.

Teaching students with English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D)

As part of its committment to supporting equity of access to the Australian Curriculum for all students, ACARA has developed the English as an Additional Language or Dialect: Teacher Resource. This resource is designed to support teachers across the learning areas as they develop teaching and learning programs using the Australian Curriculum with students for whom English is an additional language or dialect (EAL/D). Click here for more information.

Equity and Diversity Advisory Group

Providing advice about student diversity, the advisory group consists of equity and diversity experts covering Foundation to Year 12 who are based in schools, universities, curriculum authorities, professional associations and organisations. To view the members of the Equity and Diversity Advisory Group and the work they have been undertaking.