In NSW the review of the Years 7-10 curriculum has commenced. This will complete the K-12 standards framework in this state. The review will involve a program of evaluation and revision of Years 7-10 syllabuses against a K-10 curriculum framework commencing with the English and mathematics syllabuses and building on the recent revision of the science, history and geography syllabuses.

Following the 2001 HSC examinations, the standards for the HSC will be in place. Some refinement and modification will continue for a year or two after that, but by early 2002 the standards will largely be established and documented.

The process of determining where the National Benchmark levels of performance for literacy and numeracy lie on each of the DET test scales is an ongoing process. The ‘cut-score’ for the reading benchmark in Year 3 has been determined but work continues on finalising the cut-score for reading for Year 5, and the spelling and writing benchmark performances on the NSW reporting scales. While this project is run by the National Taskforce established by MCEETYA, analysis is being conducted on NSW data by officers of the Department to support and confirm the determinations of the taskforce and its working party.

The DET has moved to support assessment and reporting in terms of syllabus outcomes in its schools in a number of ways. There has been ongoing production of support documents and provision of training and development throughout the districts.

NSW government schools are being provided progressively with a software program, KIDMAP, which is designed to support teachers and schools manage the implementation of an outcomes approach to teaching and learning. In 2000, the software is available for use in primary schools and is being piloted in secondary schools.

KIDMAP includes functions to support schools and teachers plan, program, record, analyse and report using outcomes in stages in NSW syllabus documents. The software contains NSW Board of Studies syllabus information such as outcomes and indicators, as well as support provided by the Board and the Department.

Under the Commonwealth’s Quality Teacher Program (QTP), the DET has established a project titled, Consistency of Outcomes in Stages Assessment project. This project will involve schools in investigating aspects of consistency of teacher judgement in relation to the assessment and reporting of student achievement of outcomes. It is envisaged that schools involved will inform the development of a statewide package that will model processes and structures at a school level to support consistency of teacher judgement.