National Learning Progressions and Online Formative Assessment initiative
20 June 2019 In 2018, education ministers agreed that learning progressions and online formative assessment should be national priorities for education.
Along with the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) and Education Services Australia (ESA), we are now beginning the discovery phase for the National Learning Progressions and Online Formative Assessment Initiative.
Learning progressions and formative assessment enhance the capacity of teachers to make evidence-informed decisions to address the learning needs of their students and the impact of their teaching on learning.
The initial discovery phase will focus on three main areas:
- learning progressions and aligned assessments
- engagement with teachers to understand what they need and how they want to be able to work
- research into effective practices.
Learn more about the National Learning Progressions and Online Formative Assessment initiative.
New teacher background information for Science elaborations
05 June 2019 Teacher background information for Years 5 and 6 is now available to support teachers in incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures into teaching the Australian Curriculum: Science.
In October 2018,
we published 95 ‘elaborations’ – practical examples that provide guidance on teaching the Australian Curriculum: Science. The new teacher background information for Years 5 and 6 (in addition to the existing teacher background information for Years 7-10) explains in detail the cultural and historical significance of the chosen topic and how it connects to the core science curriculum content. There is also a list of consulted works, provided as evidence of the research undertaken to inform the development of the teacher background information.
The elaborations and accompanying teacher background information support teachers in providing a more culturally responsive curriculum experience for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. They also provide an opportunity for teachers to engage all students in respect and recognition of the world's oldest continuous living cultures.
Visit the
Australian Curriculum website to
watch a video on how to access the Science elaborations and teacher background information within the Australian Curriculum: Science content descriptions.
New Reconciliation Action Plan
03 June 2019 We were pleased to launch our second
Reconciliation Action Plan during Reconciliation Week last Friday. This RAP is our business plan to ensure ACARA operates in a culturally responsive manner that promotes the values of reconciliation in all the work we do, with our stakeholders, as well as in the wider community.
Thanks to Yvonne Weldon, Chair of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council Yvonne Weldon; Prof Mark Rose and Dr Kaye Price from our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group, and Sarojni Samy and Tessa Keenan from Reconciliation Australia for sharing this special occasion with us.