ACARA (Australian Curriculum, Assessment, and Reporting Authority) and the Australian Curriculum are related but distinct entities within the Australian education system.
Here’s the difference between the two:
- ACARA (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority):
- ACARA is a statutory authority established by the Australian government.
- Its primary role is to develop and manage various aspects of education policy and resources at a national level.
- ACARA is responsible for developing and maintaining the Australian Curriculum, which serves as a common curriculum framework for schools across the country.
- ACARA is also responsible for developing national assessments, such as NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy), and providing data and reporting on education outcomes.
- ACARA collaborates with state and territory education authorities to ensure consistency and alignment with national education standards.
- Australian Curriculum:
- The Australian Curriculum is the framework for teaching and learning in schools across Australia.
- It specifies what students should be taught in various subjects and at different stages of their education, from Foundation (Kindergarten) to Year 10.
- The curriculum includes subject-specific content and achievement standards, which outline the expected knowledge, skills, and understanding students should achieve in each subject area.
- The Australian Curriculum covers several key learning areas, including English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Health and Physical Education, The Arts, and Technologies.
- While the Australian Curriculum provides a common framework, the implementation of curriculum content and teaching methods can vary from state to state and school to school, as state and territory education authorities have the flexibility to adapt it to their specific contexts.
In summary, ACARA is the organization responsible for developing and managing the national educational framework, including the Australian Curriculum. The Australian Curriculum, on the other hand, is the document that outlines the content and standards for what students should learn in different subject areas and grade levels across the country. ACARA collaborates with state and territory education authorities to ensure the curriculum is consistent and aligned with national standards, but it is the responsibility of individual schools and educators to implement the curriculum in their classrooms.