What a fabulous September we have enjoyed here at ACSA. It has been an especially busy few weeks in education, with the PISA results dominating media discussions and the AITSL Workforce Survey being distributed to all registered teachers. ACSA has also supported the work of AAAE through its response to the proposed changes affecting Teacher Librarian positions in a number of NSW schools. |
Message from our Editor: Issue 46 (1) of ACSA - Australian Curriculum Studies Association's journal Curriculum Perspectives is now out. We will be showcasing individual papers over the coming weeks, but you can get amongst our Point and Counterpoint collection on how Explicit Instruction is influencing curricular practices across different contexts and learning areas here Thanks to Victoria Millar, Kelli McGraw, Dr Phillip Poulton, Mieke Lochrie, Anne France, Emily RossCarmen Mills, Heather Sharp and Dr. Melanie Innes for sharing their insights. |
The first article we are featuring is: Are we giving early career teachers enough opportunities to learn assessment design by doing it?
This provides the discussion for our first Curriculum Perspectives Article from our current journal. Our very own Executive Committee member, Dr Nicole Brownlie authors this paper on this critical conversation.
The research involved 116 Queensland secondary teachers and found that while most learned assessment theory during their teacher education, many felt underprepared to design quality summative assessments independently when they graduated.
The strongest driver of growth wasn't formal professional development. It was opportunity: opportunities to design assessments, receive feedback, work with mentors, and engage in supported practice.
The findings point to a simple but powerful framework:
👉 Competence + Confidence + Opportunity
When these three elements interact, teachers are better equipped to enact curriculum through effective assessment design.
For schools, systems, and teacher educators, the message is clear: assessment expertise develops through practice, feedback, and relationships, not theory alone. |
Our second article is only available to our members; if forms a critical conversation in our current context. This study found that teachers who actively negotiated the Australian Curriculum fostered greater learner engagement, agency, and ownership.
Through interviews with Foundation to Year 10 teachers, it was discovered that curriculum negotiation goes beyond pedagogy. It involves thoughtfully balancing required curriculum outcomes with opportunities for student choice and participation in learning decisions.
The result? More engaged learners, stronger intellectual development, and classrooms where students are active partners in the learning process.
Teachers who embraced curriculum negotiation demonstrated how educators can act as transformative professionals, adapting curriculum to meet the needs of diverse learners while maintaining curriculum integrity. |
We are delighted to share that our Executive Director, Anna Ritzema, has recently been appointed to the Board of the Australian Alliance of Associations in Education (AAAE). This appointment strengthens our connections with other national education associations and reinforces a collective voice for positive change and reform across the education sector. The AAAE is an alliance of national professional teacher associations with a mission to ensure that the voices of its member associations, and the teachers and educators they represent, are heard by governments and key statutory authorities. Through this advocacy, the AAAE works to improve educational policy and practice across Australia. Anna's appointment provides an important opportunity for ACSA to contribute to national discussions, collaborate with sector partners, and help shape the future direction of Australian education. |
The AAAE has recently released a position paper on Pedagogy. You can find it here |
ACSA has joined with the Australian Alliance of Associations in Education (AAAE) in supporting the proposed provision of teacher-librarians and specialist EAL/D (English as an Additional Language or Dialect) services across Catholic Schools Maitland-Newcastle. We are committed to recognising and advocating for the important role that teacher-librarians play in supporting student learning, literacy development, information literacy, and a strong reading culture within schools. To learn more about the role and impact of teacher-librarians, visit the Australian School Library Association (ASLA)website. This work has garnered much traction with the media and you can read more from Education HQ |
Executive Committee Updates |
Strategic Planning The ACSA Executive Committee recently met to begin developing our strategic plan for 2027. We look forward to sharing the full strategy with members by the end of the year. Through the initial planning process, three key priorities have been identified: - Strengthening ACSA's academic and research role
- Enhancing ACSA's role within school systems
- Building alliances and supporting educational associations
These priorities will guide our work as we continue to advocate for educational leadership, influence policy and practice, and strengthen collaboration across the sector. We welcome feedback from members as this work progresses and are grateful to those who have already contributed their insights and ideas. Your input is invaluable in helping shape ACSA's future direction. |
Meeting with Minister Clare at Parliament House Two of our Executive Committee members, Jen Parrett and Alex Wharton, recently attended the Australian Schools Plus Alumni 10-Year Celebration at Parliament House in Canberra. As recipients of Australian Schools Plus awards in 2021, the event provided a valuable opportunity to reconnect with fellow alumni, celebrate the impact of the program over the past decade, and catch up with our Executive Director, Anna Ritzema. During the event, Minister Jason Clare spoke about the importance of the teaching profession and acknowledged the outstanding work of educators supporting students and communities experiencing disadvantage. He highlighted the vital role teachers play in improving educational outcomes and creating opportunities for young Australians. The celebrations were followed by a session with Professor Pasi Sahlberg, whose presentation prompted thoughtful discussion about the current state of education. In particular, he challenged participants to consider the limitations of measures such as PISA and other large-scale testing programs, arguing that these assessments do not always capture the full picture of the strengths, successes, and complexities of school systems. The event provided an excellent opportunity for reflection, professional dialogue, and renewed commitment to supporting equitable and high-quality education for all students. |
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What's happening with our colleagues? |
Many of our Executive members and the Curriculum Perspectives Editorial Team will be attending the Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) Conference and contributing through their respective Special Interest Groups (SIGs). The conference provides an important opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the country, engage with current educational research, and contribute to discussions that inform policy and practice. If you are attending, please take the opportunity to reach out and say hello. We look forward to connecting with ACSA members and friends throughout the event. |
Member and friends of ACSA news |
Congratulations to Dr Nicole Browlie and Dr Emily Ross We warmly congratulate Dr Nicole Browlie and Dr Emily Ross on their recent contributions to Curriculum Perspectives. Their scholarship and insights continue to enrich professional dialogue and contribute to contemporary thinking about curriculum, teaching, and learning. You can learn more about their work and professional journeys through our ACSA Insights interview series. We encourage members to catch up on these engaging conversations and gain further insight into the research and ideas shaping educational practice. |
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Congratulations to Dr Jen Parrett We warmly congratulate Dr Jen Parrett on the successful completion of her Doctor of Education (EdD). This significant achievement reflects Jen's commitment to educational leadership, research, and ongoing professional learning. Jen is a passionate advocate for the Big Picture Education approach and has been a strong voice in promoting innovative ways of supporting student learning, engagement, and success. To learn more about Jen's professional journey, her doctoral studies, and her passion for Big Picture Education, we encourage you to read our full ACSA Insights interview. |
Popular ACSA Publications Back in Stock We are pleased to announce that two of our most requested publications are now back in stock: - Philosophy with Young Children- a classroom handbook
- Philosophical and Ethical Inquiry for Students in the Middle Years and beyond
These valuable resources provide practical guidance and rich learning opportunities for educators seeking to foster critical thinking, ethical reasoning, inquiry, and meaningful classroom dialogue. Demand for both publications has been strong, and we are delighted to once again make them available to members and educators interested in strengthening philosophical inquiry in their teaching practice. If you wish to make a purchase please reach out to the office acsa@acsa.edu.au |
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