The draft NSW History K-10 Syllabus

Version 2

February, 2012

The draft NSW K-10 syllabuses

• The Board of Studies NSW has developed draft K-10 syllabuses for English, mathematics, science and history. The first round of consultation for these syllabuses has now closed.

• A second round of consultation based on version 2 of the draft syllabuses is now open.

• NSW school teachers will only need to teach in accordance with the new K-10 syllabus documents developed for NSW.

• The Board advises all schools to continue to use the existing NSW K-12 syllabuses for 2012 and 2013.

Overview

Key issues from consultation on version 1

What's changed from version 1 to version 2?

What is the syllabus structure in version 2?

Key issues for consultation on version 2

Designing the NSW Syllabuses

Australian Curriculum(ACARA)

New NSW syllabuses(Board of Studies NSW)

Stage-based Outcomes and content

Year-based Content

General capabilities, Cross-curriculum priorities

Learning across the curriculum areas embedded in content as appropriate to individual Learning Areas

Implementation Timeframe

2011Term 4

2012 2013 2014

Education Ministers approve validated Australian Curriculum achievement standards.

Board of Studies NSW considers consultation feedback and revises syllabuses.

Version 2 draft syllabuses available.

Second round of consultation with Board of Studies NSW.

Professional learning for school leaders available.

School planning and preparation for implementation.

Implementation of new syllabuses.

Teacher professional learning for new syllabuses.

School programming and development of teaching, learning and assessment materials.

Senior secondary curriculum

• ACARA has indicated that further work to develop senior secondary courses in English, mathematics, science and history is being undertaken, with draft documents to be available for consultation in 2012.

• In the meantime NSW teachers are to continue teaching current NSW syllabuses for senior secondary courses.

Key issuesfrom consultationon Version 1

Key issues from consultation on Version 1History K-6

• Outcomes needed more clarity

• An over-emphasis on knowledge and understanding

• Historical skills - relationship with the content needed clarity

• The amount of content in Stages 2 and 3

• The need for advice about the relationship between History K-6 and HSIE K-6

• The need for professional development in History concepts, skills and content

Key issues from consultation on Version 1History 7-10

• Outcomes needed more clarity

• Too much content, especially in Stage 5

• Historical skills - relationship with the content needed clarity

• Comparative Indigenous content required

• Some crucial areas of history missing, eg. Vietnam War era

What’s changed from Version 1 to Version 2?

What’s changed from Version 1 to Version 2 ?K-6

• Outcomes – coded for ease of use

• Skills – an outcome has been added

• Historical concepts have been added

• Historical skills have been placed above the content

• The content descriptions have been clarified

• Additional content in some topics

• A glossary has been added

What’s changed from Version 1 to Version 2 ?7-10

• Content in the overviews - enhanced and clarified

• Historical concepts added

• Comparative Indigenous content added in Stage 4

• WW1 and WW2 combined in Stage 5

• Depth Study 6 in Stage 5 allows for the development of a topic from the Overview to be taught as an option

• Increased flexibility in content in Stage 5 - two core depth studies and at least two of the remaining four depth studies are to be studied

What’s changed from Version 1 to Version 2 ?Life Skills

• Outcomes - reviewed to strengthen inclusivity

• Outcomes – table included to show how they are linked with Stage 4 and Stage 5

• Topics – aligned to Stage 4 and Stage 5 depth studies

• Content – reviewed to provide more access points for students

What is the syllabus structure in Version 2?

Syllabus structure in Version 2

• The K-10 Curriculum• Rationale• The Place of the History K-10 Syllabus in the K-12

curriculum• Aims• Objectives• Outcomes• Content• Years 7-10 Life Skills outcomes and content• Continuum of learning in History K-10• Assessment• Glossary

Extra information for History K-6

Outcomes:• Include historical concepts • Describe the historical knowledge and understanding• Describe the skills of historical inquiry

Stage-based organisation

Key Inquiry Questions

Historical concepts (new in Version 2)

Historical Skills• Increasing emphasis on historical interpretation• Use of historical sources and evidence

Topics

Early Stage 1

A student’s own history and that of their family

Personal and Family Histories

Stage 1

Changes and continuities in the local area

The Past in the Present

Similarities and differences in family life, past and present

Present and Past Family Life

Stage 2

World exploration and British settlement of Australia

First Contacts

Identity and diversity in both the local and national communities

Community and Remembrance

Stage 3

The development of 20th Century Australia

Australia as a Nation

A study of colonial Australia

The Australian Colonies

Stage 4 - The Ancient World

Stage 4 - From the Ancient to the Modern World

Stage 5 - The Making of the Modern World

Stage 5 - The Modern World and Australia

Key issues for consultation on Version 2

Key issues for consultation on Version 2K-6

• Is the amount of content appropriate for Early Stage 1, Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3?

• How will the relationship between History K-6 and HSIE K-6 be addressed?

• Does the inclusion of historical concepts enhance the teaching of historical skills?

Key issues for consultation on Version 27-10

• Will the changes to the overall structure make it easier to teach the course in 50 hours per year?

• Has the inclusion of Aboriginal and Indigenous content in Depth Studies 1 and 6 (in Stage 4) redressed the lack of such content in Version 1?

• Will the teaching of World War 1 and World War 2 in one (core) depth study be manageable?

• Has the reorganisation of the depth studies in Stage 5 resulted in a more engaging course?

• Will students be better prepared for Stage 6 History courses?

Key issues for consultation on Version 2 - The interactive online format

• Preview the draft syllabuses in interactive online format

• Is the navigation clear and logical?

• Will this format be helpful for planning, programming, assessing and reporting?

How can I start to preparefor implementationof the new syllabus?

Make your opinion count

The Board of studies NSW is asking for your feedback on the Version 2 draft syllabuses:•Complete an online survey about the draft syllabus Version 2 content.•Register for a Board of Studies consultation meeting.The Department will produce a response representing the views of public schools and wants to hear your opinion to inform that response.•Please complete the Department’s survey.

Preparation

• Keep up to date:o Watch the NSW Curriculum & Learning Innovation

Centre’s website (www.clic.det.nsw.edu.au).o Watch the Board of Studies website (

www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au). Note that you can register for Board of Studies weekly bulletins.