Curriculum Policy and Major Education Reports
New South Wales – Key Documents – the 1985 Context
Report from the Select Committee Report of the Legislative Assembly upon the School Certificate (McGowan Report) – 1981
- Discusses problems with the School Certificate and recommends its abolition and replacement with a new credential of greater value.
- Recommends that the new credential be called the Certificate of Secondary Education.
- Recommends that all secondary school courses should be offered on a semester basis.
- Recommends the abolition of zoning.
- Endorses ability-grouping of students.
Discussion Paper: Curriculum Review: Years 11-12 – 1982
- Forms part of the Board of Senior School Studies ‘total review of curriculum’.
- Discusses the need for a reform of the senior secondary curriculum.
- Outlines a possible model for curriculum development for Years 11 and 12.
Future Directions of Secondary Education: A Report (Swan and McKinnon Report) – 1984
- Sets out proposals for the broad direction of secondary education.
- Outlines ten principles for the further development of secondary education.
- Identifies gaps and omissions in the senior secondary curriculum and suggests that attention be given to what constitutes ‘general education’ for Years 11 and 12.
- Recommends the establishment of the Board of Secondary Education to replace the Secondary Schools Board and the Board of Senior School Studies.
- Recommends that the School Certificate be replaced by a Certificate of Secondary Education.
- Recommends stronger connections between theoretical and applied studies.