I got a notice today from the The Australian Science Teachers’ Association, on an issue I’d known about for a while – the National Science Curriculum Framing Paper. I thought I may as well broadcast the links that will direct what will be going on and urge people to have a say – and hope you’ll pass it on!
You are probably aware that Version 2 of the National Science Curriculum Framing Paper is open for consultation until the end of February 2009. It can be found on the NCB website: www.ncb.org.au
ASTA will be consulting widely and providing a response. Many of the state and territory Science Teachers Associations will do likewise, and there will be a cross flow of discussion and ideas. Your contributions to these discussions will be most welcome. [There are] some questions about the Framing Paper, and I invite you to add further ones (and some responses!)
They include:
- The abandonment of “Scientific Literacy”, as [a term];
- Should Science be compulsory in the curriculum? If so, for what years/ ages?
- Should there be minimum specified time allocations (or % of curriculum) for Science? If so, what are they?
- What subjects/ courses should be offered for senior Secondary? How should we incorporate local courses/ contexts for these within the framework?
I would also add the one about ‘Do you agree with the Stage 4 options of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Environmental Science? What of Geology/ Earth Science, Space Science/ Astronomy, Psychology?‘ and I know many people worry that evolution might be overlooked, although I should imagine that it is pretty much guaranteed to be included. Worth mentioning everything that you want to be sure of.
You can find the document here: National Science Curriculum: Framing paper (pdf 122kb)
There are also papers for the National Curriculum for English (pdf 189kb), Mathematics (pdf 113kb) and History (pdf 140kb). It’s an opportunity to see where education is heading in this country and give feedback.
Since we’re on the topic of feedback, it’s thanks to the Perth Atheists that I learned about the Freedom of Religion and Belief in the 21st Century in Australia project:
The Australian Human Rights Commission has commissioned the Australian Multicultural Foundation, (AMF) in association with RMIT University and Monash University to prepare a report on Freedom of Religion and Belief in the 21st Century. This team will consult with the Australian Partnership of Religious Organisations (APRO) in preparing its report.
…This project is designed to work with faith communities and other civil society organisations to record their concerns and proposed solutions to build a more socially cohesive and harmonious society that protects and promotes Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Some of the points that have caught my attention include:
R2.5 For the purposes of the Religious Freedom Act, religion and belief should be given a wide meaning, covering the broad spectrum of personal convictions and matters of conscience. It should include theistic, non-theistic and atheistic beliefs. It should include minority and non-mainstream religions and belief systems as well as those of a more traditional or institutionalised nature.
and for the skeptically-minded – note well:
R3.13 The federal Attorney-General through the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General should encourage Queensland and Victoria to repeal legislation criminalising the practice of witchcraft, fortune-telling, sorcery and enchantment.
R3.14 The federal Attorney-General through the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General should encourage Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania to repeal legislation criminalising the practice of fortune-telling.
The final submission date is the 31st January. Check out the official site for more details.
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