Primary Matters

Primary Matters March 1996

From Board Bulletin, Vol 5, No. 2, March 1996

K-6 projects in progress at the Board of Studies

Assessment and Reporting

The President and officers from the Assessment Branch of the Office of the Board of Studies recently visited Australia Street Infants School, Newtown, to observe everyday assessment practices undertaken in classrooms in the school. Teachers at the school demonstrated the use of an impressive range of strategies and routines, including some highly focused observation sessions, the use of running records, the collection and analysis of student work samples, and manageable approaches to record-keeping. The Board is currently developing a draft Assessment and Reporting support document for Years K-10. This document will contain advice regarding assessment as well as reporting options that are compatible with the Board's proposed Outcomes model. It is anticipated that this document will be distributed to schools in Term 2 for comment.

Citizenship Education Framework K-10

At the Board's Civics Forum in 1995 members of the education community were presented with proposals for the development of K-6 and 7-10 curriculum materials in the area of Civics. Several matters were discussed at the Forum, including the need for the development of a framework to ensure continuity of Citizenship Education content as the Key Learning Area of Human Society and Its Environment in the primary curriculum moves into subject-based courses in the secondary curriculum.

The Board has developed a draft document Citizenship Education Framework K-10, which is now being discussed by the Board's committees. The major purpose of Citizenship Education, as stated within the Framework, is 'to develop in students the ability to participate with others in a constructive way in the life of their community, society and environment'.

Primary Curriculum Coordinating Group

The Office of the Board has established a body representing the various functions of the Board that have an impact on K-6 curriculum development. This body, which has been given the title the Primary Curriculum Coordinating Group, meets on a regular basis to identify, discuss and address cross-KLA issues. The group will provide a formal structure for communication across Key Learning Areas within the Office of the Board in relation to K-6 curriculum development and contribute to the development of a unified and inclusive set of curriculum documents.

The Importance of Play

The Importance of Play was developed by the Board in 1995 as a teacher resource book. This book establishes the importance of play for learning and as a forum for the demonstration of learning outcomes. The book provides a rationale for play, a description of different types of play, information regarding the role of teachers in facilitating play, and an overall theoretical framework for analysing students' play.

The Importance of Play was recently distributed to all schools. Additional copies can be purchased from the Board of Studies by contacting the Sales Desk on phone (02) 9927 8178.

English K-6 Review Committee

In late 1995 the Board established a committee to undertake a review of the English K-6 Syllabus and Support Document following specific recommendations of the Eltis Review. The English K-6 Review Committee has now developed a detailed timeline for the process of gathering information, which includes a brief survey to schools, an invitation to schools to participate in focus groups held in various locations throughout the State, and an invitation to key stakeholders to provide written submissions and/or oral presentations to the Committee. The information obtained from these undertakings will contribute to the recommendations made to the Board about directions for the revision of the syllabus. The Review Committee members are Emeritus Professor Jillian Maling (Committee Chairperson); Margaret Malone, school principal; Liz Newell, classroom teacher; Gerald McRae, classroom teacher; Associate Professor Adrian Mitchell; Paul Hardage, Chief Education Officer for English, Department of School Education; Wendy Michaels, Inspector, English; and Phil Lambert, Inspector, Primary Education.

If you would like further information regarding these items or K-6 curriculum matters in general, contact Margaret Malone, Inspector, Primary Education, phone (02) 9927 8199 or fax (02) 9954 9218.