Michael Hewitson has been appointed to the national board for education called ACARA.

Thank you to the many readers of "How will our children learn?" It has been in the Connor Court best sellers list and many have bought extra copies and passed it on to people with the power to improve the learning of every child in Australia.

Some quotes

            Vice Chancellor Emeritus Melbourne University

“I have been thrilled to read your book from cover to cover. 

It is a remarkable saga and carries many messages of great significance. I will have a discussion with our Dean of Education.”

            Teacher State Assessment Board

“I laughed, I cried and I got angry and was then delighted ……

a wonderful book.  Can I have another four copies please ?”

            Numerous Young Parents

35 year old mother                             “A real page turner”        

33 year old father of three                 “An easy read and a fascinating story… indeed a must read”

30 year old father of two            “Wow, let me first say that I was completely astounded at the journey”

Age unknown, mother                        “I just bought a copy today and could not put it down!

ACARA 

Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority 

Curriculum: Charged as an independent authority, we take a national approach to education through developing and implementing a world-class national curriculum. Visit the Australian Curriculum website for more information.

Assessment: We run the national assessment program – the tests STUDENTS take in school – including NAPLAN. We are also responsible for the My School website, which gives information on the performance and resources of more than 9500 schools.

Reporting: We produce a number of reports, notably the National Report on Schooling in Australia – a major report of statistical and related information about educational outcomes.

ACARA is responsible for:

·          National curriculum from Kindergarten to Year 12 in specified learning areas.

·          National assessment program aligned to the national curriculum that measures students’ progress.

·          National data collection and reporting program that supports: analysis, evaluation, research and resource allocation; and   accountability and reporting on schools and broader national achievement.

View the ACARA Act

The ACARA Board

The ACARA Board was announced in May 2009. Professor Barry McGaw AO is the Chair of the Board

·         View the complete ACARA Board membership

·         View ACARA executive

ACARA’s governance and advisory structure

ACARA receives directions from the Australian Government, state and territory ministers for education through the Education Council (prior to 1 July 2014 known as the Standing Council on School Education and Early Childhood, SCSEEC), ACARA’s Charter (pdf 56 KB) and a two-year Letter of Expectation (pdf 2.2 MB) (latest versions August 2012).

ACARA’s Charter sets out the Education Council’s high level priorities for ACARA, with the Letter of Expectation providing greater detail on deliverables expected by ministers within a two-year period. ACARA is supported by a number of advisory groups.

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