curriculum [n.]

[pl. curricula or curriculums] the subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college.
-ORIGIN Latin ‘course, racing chariot’..

syllabus [n.]

[pl. syllabuses or syllabi] the topics in a course of study or teaching, especially for an examination.
-ORIGIN Latin, from Greek sittuba ‘title slip, label’.

Oxford Dictionaries

Being a federal system, each state and territory has developed a curriculum having various topic syllabuses. There is now a process underway to develop a national curriculum ‘from Kindergarten to Year 12, starting with the learning areas of English, Mathematics, Science and History, for implementation from 2011’. [ACARA]. This would later be followed by Languages, Geography and The Arts. Information concerning this can be found in the Commonwealth section below.

This page covers curriculum and syllabuses in all states & territories, Commonwealth involvement now and in the future, and other curriculum sources including international information, journals and more.

Some previous material has been moved to specific pages, e.g. Middle Years of School, Assessment, Vocational Education, … .

States & Territories

Australian Capital Territory

• ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies
  Senior secondary system.
• ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies [Course Frameworks]
  ‘Course Frameworks are system curriculum documents for Years 11 and 12. They provide the essential basis for the development and accreditation of any course within a designated subject area a common basis for assessment and reporting of student outcomes in courses based on the framework’. PDF.
• ACT Senior Secondary Curriculum
  Accreditation, development, more.
• Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative - ACT
  ‘Sustainability curriculum package’.
• Curriculum Framework
  ‘2007 ACT curriculum framework, Every Chance to Learn, describes what is essential for ACT students to learn from preschool to year 10’. Includes the following.

• Curriculum Design
  Covers Scope & Sequence, Planning Units of Work, additional or worthwhile learning.
• Curriculum Resources
  ‘Resources to support the implementation of the ACT curriculum framework will be progressively published from 2008’.
• Introduction to the Framework
  PDF and Word documents. Framework Documents, Framework by bands of Development.
• Parent Information
  Brochure entitled ‘Every Chance to Learn’. PDF format.

• Curriculum Programs
  Department of Education & Training.
• Curriculum Support
  Department of Education & Training.

New South Wales

• Centre for Learning Innovation
  ‘Promotes teaching and learning innovation throughout NSW government schools and TAFE NSW’.
• Curriculum Policy
  The Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Catholic Education Office.
• Curriculum Projects
  Specific projects from the Australian Government Quality Teacher Program : NSW. Scroll down to access the curriculum areas.
• Curriculum Resources Overview
  Information from Sustainable Schools NSW.
• Curriculum Support Directorate
  Department of Education & Training
• NSW Board of Studies
  Syllabuses for students from K-12. For parent information go to these sites.

• Board Of Studies NSW K6
  Especially for K-6.
• Useful Information for Parents
  Separate sections address Primary, Years 7-10 & Years 11-12, an example of which is provided below.
• Parents’ Guide to the NSW Primary Syllabuses
  ‘Provided to help you follow your child’s early learning and to help you talk with teachers about day-to-day classroom activities and your child’s progress’.

• Teaching and Learning Exchange [TaLe]
  ‘Gateway where teachers, school leaders and parents can easily locate research and resources to support student learning’.
• The Australian Curriculum in New South Wales
  The home page for this from the NSW Board of Studies. You can also access their Response to the Draft K-10 Curriculum from this page and download a copy here.

Northern Territory

• Board of Studies
  Curriculum, assessment, reporting, certification.
• Curriculum
  ‘Since 2002 the Northern Territory has had a mandated Curriculum Framework that identifies outcomes for all learners from Transition - Year 10’.
• Curriculum Services Branch
  Curriculum framework.
  Presently being rebuilt as part of a new site..
• Curriculum Framework [NT]
  Outcome-focused learning, layer 2 resources, reporting, curriculum framework, more. Much can be downloaded as PDF documents.
• Northern Territory Music School
  Among other activities, they provide consultancy, professional development, tuition, Indigenous music programs, curriculum development, advocacy and involvement in musical presentations. They are actually a gazetted school.

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Queensland

• Curriculum
  Summary of curriculum broken into sections from Preparatory to Year 12. Education Queensland.
• Curriculum : Learning, Teaching, Assessment
  ‘Curriculum is all the planned, guided and implemented learning that occurs in a school. Queensland state schools develop school curriculum plans using the Key Learning Area syllabuses or New Basics organisers’.
• Queensland Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Framework
  ‘Will improve the quality of schooling and the comparability of assessment and reporting of student achievement right across the state. The Queensland Studies Authority is developing the materials and tools for the framework’.
• Queensland Studies Authority [Early Years]
  General Information, Curriculum Guidelines, Support Materials.
• Queensland Studies Authority [P-12]
  Curriculum and outcomes information. Broken into sections for P-Year 3, Years 1-9, Year 10, Years 11 and 12.
• Queensland Studies Authority [11-12]
  Curriculum and outcomes information.

South Australia

• Implementing Curriculum in South Australia
  The SACSA Framework. 2008 article from Curriculum Leadership Journal.
• Islamic College of South Australia
  Select Curriculum from the main menu, then various levels from this.
• Learning and Curriculum in the Early Years
  Priorities, focus area, targets, what’s new.
• SACE Board of South Australia
  Senior curriculum linked to the South Australian Certificate of Education.
• SACSA
  Curriculum standards and accountability framework.
• Training & Skills Commission
  Training and skills development information.

Tasmania

• Curriculum : Assessment
  Curriculum & assessment : Essential Learnings, Learning Areas within Essential Learnings, Kindergarten Development Check [KDC], Learning, Teaching & Assessment Guide.
• Curriculum Centre
  ‘Curriculum area resources designed specifically for teachers can be accessed at the Curriculum Centre’. Department of Education log-in required.
• Curriculum Guidance for Schools
  ‘This guide helps all schools fulfil national obligations while providing them with the capacity to work with parents and students to personalise student learning’.
• Curriculum Resources and Support
• Tasmanian Curriculum
  Overview, information on standards and implementation.
• Tasmania Together - Curriculum Resources
  ‘These guides provide teachers and students with an introduction and links to Tasmania Together. The ideas are linked to the areas in the Tasmanian Curriculum. The purpose of these guides is to encourage students to have a say about their future through Tasmania Together [2020]’. You can find Online Benchmark Reports here.
• Tasmania and the Australian Curriculum
  ‘2011 will be a preparation year for the Australian curriculum in Tasmania’.
• TQA
  Syllabuses for senior schools.

Victoria

• Laying the Foundations, Years Prep-4
  Information from the Department of Education & Training, plus the following.

• Prep to Year 10 Resources
• English Domain.
• ESL Curriculum & Publications

• LOTE Curriculum
  Also try Languages Online for related resources and Learning & Teaching Support.
• Prep to Year 10 Resources
  ‘Curriculum that is offered to students from Prep to Year 10 is accompanied by a range of teaching and learning aids to ensure teachers and students maximise the opportunity for education’. Covers 3 major strands and multiple domains. In each there are sections on resources, the learning framework, professional development, assessment and more.
• Programs for Students with Disabilities
  Documents including reports and resources.
• Victorian Curriculum & Assessment Authority
  AIM, P-10, Senior Studies. ‘We are responsible for the provision of high quality curriculum and assessment programs for all students in Victoria’.

Western Australia

• ArtsEdge
  ‘ArtsEdge facilitates collaboration between the education, arts and cultural sectors. We support arts education by creating opportunities for partnerships and the enrichment of skills through professional learning programs’.
• Curriculum Council [WA]
  Year 11 and 12 Subject and Additional Subject Information & Syllabus Information
• Curriculum Council - Courses
  Senior curriculum, various course formats.
• Curriculum Framework [WA]
  All subject areas.
• Curriculum Framework Support WA
  A list of Curriculum Council Internet Resources. Catholic Education Office.
• Curriculum - Learning & Teaching K-12
  ‘All teaching and learning in Catholic Schools in Western Australia is founded in the Curriculum Framework. The Curriculum Framework is built upon a commitment to the philosophy that learning is continuous and the essential purpose is to improve the learning and achievement of all students’.
• Curriculum Materials Information Service
  Publications, resources.

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Commonwealth

• Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority
  ‘Responsible for developing an Australian national curriculum for all students from Kindergarten to Year 12, starting with English, Mathematics, the Sciences and History. National curriculum will be developed collaboratively. It will be the product of Australians working together to develop a world-best curriculum’. News, ways of participating, read publications, keep up to date with this major move. Check Vodcasts on the site. Download The Shape of the National Curriculum : A Proposal for Discussion as a starting point to building your knowledge level. This can be found on their Publications page.
  Previously the National Curriculum Board.
• The Australian Curriculum Consultation Online
  ‘The Australian Curriculum consultation site allows you to read, review and provide feedback on draft curriculum materials as they become available for public consultation. Feedback can be provided through the consultation portal, by completing online questionnaires and by submitting additional comments via email. The feedback is used to revise and improve the draft materials so that the best possible quality Australian Curriculum documents are developed and published’. You need to register to access the contents but registration is free.
• Australian Curriculum Implementation Survey
  ‘The following information is based on advice provided to ACARA by jurisdictional officers along with a review of relevant State and Territory websites. More detailed information should be sourced from State and Territory school and curriculum authorities’. Data compiled in August 2011.
• Australian Curriculum Online
  ‘The Australian Curriculum sets out the core knowledge, understanding, skills and general capabilities important for all Australian students. The Australian Curriculum describes the learning entitlement of students as a foundation for their future learning, growth and active participation in the Australian community. It makes clear what all young Australians should learn as they progress through schooling. It is the foundation for high quality teaching to meet the needs of all Australian students’. Overview, video, curriculum, General Capabilities, cross-curriculum priorities, FAQs, consultation, more.
• Australia’s National Curriculum
  Rudd’s Revolution in Education Begins. Article by Stephen Crabbe, Suite 101™. Another article from the same author is What Sort of National Curriculum ? Hopes and Fears for Australian Education under Kevin Rudd. Centres on what such a curriculum should contain.
• COAG Ministerial Decision, December 2010
  Communique from this meeting setting out what had been agreed and providing information about implementation of Stage 1.
• Science Is The Sticking Point
  Article quoting Barry McGaw on the difficulties in getting curriculum agreement in this area.
• Education Australia
  Established by the Federal and State Governments to work in the curriculum area. Also covers the National Profiles. This body resulted from the merger of The Curriculum Corporation and Education.au.
• The Le@rning Federation
  ‘To keep stakeholders, education organisations, educators, content developers, the general public informed about the progress of the Initiative. Information about the project, key documents, resources, forums, other specialised services. The Le@rning Federation is a curriculum initiative of State and Federal governments of Australia and New Zealand’.

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Other Information

Other Curriculums

The following links provide access to curriculums from other countries around the world. The number listed will increase as these are found.

• Curriculum, British Columbia
  ‘The Ministry of Education sets the education standards for students in grades K to 12 through the provincial curriculum. These standards are called Prescribed Learning Outcomes [PLOs]. PLOs outline the expectations for what students should know and be able to do at each grade and within each subject area’. Canada.
• Edinformatics
  Provides links to information on curriculum at both a national and state level in the US. It also has links to other international curriculum sites.
• National Curriculum [UK]
  ‘A site packed with guidance and tools to help schools design a curriculum that inspires and challenges all their learners. Our National Curriculum sets out the knowledge and skills that are important for our children to become successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens’.
• Saskatchewan Learning
  Welcome to Curriculum and e-learning. ‘The Curriculum and E-Learning Branch is responsible to develop courses of study for use in kindergarten to grade 12 schools as part of Saskatchewan’s Core Curriculum reform’. Canada.

General Sites

• ACSA
  Australian Curriculum Studies Association. ‘ACSA works to support educators so that all students have access to a meaningful, relevant and engaging curriculum’. Find out about Papers, Publications, IDEAS, Projects, Awards, Conferences & Events.
• An Action Research Approach to Curriculum Development
  Article with embedded links, references, more. University of Sheffield, UK.
• Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
  ‘A community of educators, advocating sound policies and sharing best practices to achieve the success of each learner’. Worth joining, while their journal Educational Leadership is excellent.
• Australasian Curriculum Assessment Certification Authorities
  ‘The national body for the chief executives of the statutory bodies in the Australian States and Territories and New Zealand responsible for certificates of senior secondary education’.
• Australian Curriculum Frameworks and Syllabuses [K-10]
  National Curriculum Areas, listed for each area now developed or being developed.
• Becta
  ‘Leads the national drive to improve learning through technology. We also work to support the education workforce to make the best use of technology to improve learning’. British group that worked with schools, school authorities, government, industry. Of interest could be the Understanding the Impact of Technology [Learner and School Level Factors] 2010 and also, the Emerging Technologies for Learning : Volume 3 [2008], both available in PDF format, in whole or parts. [This is the archived version of the sites as they were replaced by a different site/approach when the new government came to power.]
• Changing Secondary Schools in Australia Years 7 to 10
  ‘Summarises the junior secondary curriculum in eight public education systems in Australia as well as in the New Zealand system. Overview of the structure of the secondary system, advice, links relating to students transferring schools, information about the junior secondary curriculum, subjects, courses, and an outline of the various methods of assessing and reporting student achievement when students complete Year 10’.
• Connexions
  ‘House[s] one of the largest repositories of open educational resources in the world, enabling the creation, sharing, modification, and vetting of content accessible to anyone, anywhere, anytime via the World Wide Web. And that’s why all materials are housed free of charge in a variety of formats. Content is accessible not only online, but in downloadable PDF and EPUB formats, as well as being available through a print-on-demand option’.
• Curriculum Development
  International Bureau of Education of the United Nations [UNESCO]. Covers areas such as Good practices, Action Research, Training Tool, more. Their Knowledge Management Services is worth visiting, covering research and resources from around the world.
• Curriculum Organiser
  ‘Designed to organise curriculum for the individual teacher and the whole of school. Four layers of planning documents [from student to system] with extensive program contents’. Free sample downloads. Note this is a Fee-based program for either/both individuals and/or schools.
• Curriki
  ‘Curriki is an online environment created to support the development and free distribution of world-class educational materials to anyone who needs them. Our name is a play on the combination of curriculum and wiki which is the technology we’re using to make education universally accessible’.
• Free Curricula Centre
  ‘Helps students worldwide reach their educational potential by producing and distributing university-level curricula that can be copied freely and modified cooperatively. FCC serves as a focal point for the development and sharing of textbooks, instructor guides, and other educational materials. These materials are released at no cost into the public domain or under an open source style license’.
• Good Practice, Curriculum Development
  Interesting site [multiple sections], aimed directly at university lecturers. Done by a Canadian university.
• Handbook of Emerging Technologies for Learning
  Multi-section book presentation with 11 section including Preface and Conclusion. You can Download a copy here.
• INCA
  International Review of Curriculum and Assessment Frameworks Internet Archive. ‘Descriptions of government policy on education in Australia, Canada, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland [forthcoming], Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the USA, Wales. Focuses on curriculum, assessment, initial teacher training frameworks for preschool, primary, lower secondary and upper secondary education in schools [3-19 age range]’.
• International Baccalaureate Organisation
  Information about structure and content of the three [3] different program levels offered [based on ages].
• National Educational Technology Standards
  ‘The standards are credited with significantly influencing expectations for students and creating a target of excellence relating to technology - Now, we’re defining what students need to know and be able to do with technology to learn effectively and live productively in a rapidly changing digital world’.
• National Museum of Australia
  Curriculum Links. With an emphasis on Indigenous studies, linked in some detail to specific curriculum areas for each state.
• Kraus Curriculum Development Library
  ‘Searchable database of curricula brings together educational objectives, content, instructional strategies, evaluative techniques for all subjects covered in PreK-12 and Adult Basic Education’. Take a Free trial to assess its worth.
• Wilson’s Curriculum Development Index
  Topics from defining curriculum to objectives of various kinds and methods of change. Each has information, related links. His Links page is worth visiting as well.
  Well presented.

Journals

• International Journal of Education Policy and Leadership
  Abstracts, PDF files of selected articles.
• Journal of Curriculum Studies
  Abstracts of relevant articles from 54 issues are provided.
• The Curriculum Journal
  Gain a Free copy, access online contents, previous Tables of Contents.

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