Points of difference

The last time Australia moved towards a form of nationally consistent curriculum, under John Dawkins, the exercise fell apart due to a lack of state government support. This time, an Australian Curriculum is being developed under a new authority, ACARA, established with the agreement of the states, the Commonwealth and the Catholic and independent sectors. But as the dates for implementation of the first subjects come closer, and as recent post NSW state election comments make clear, the issue of state agreement on the details remains a work in progress.