Introduction About ACARA The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) is an independent authority focused on improving the learning of all young Australians through a national curriculum, the national assessment program and a national data collection and reporting program. ACARA collaborates with teachers, principals, governments, state and territory education authorities, professional education associations, community...

In order to read proficiently, students need accurate and fluent word identification skills and adequate language comprehension. Put simply, they must be able to work out what the words on the page or screen are, and know what they mean. The most effective way to develop accurate and fluent word identification is to learn the...

The NSW Literacy and Numeracy Strategy 2017-2020 is a plan to ensure NSW students have the essential literacy and numeracy skills they need for success in learning and in life. Literacy and numeracy skills will be described clearly, taught explicitly, assessed meaningfully and reported regularly in all schools across NSW. The strategy builds on the...

This paper examines evidence-based practices that can be implemented by schools to enhance literacy and numeracy performance. Educating students in literacy and numeracy is a key responsibility of schools as literacy and numeracy are ‘foundational skills’ that underpin the subsequent development of more complex skills.

Effective communication and advocacy activities are essential components in initiating change in education practices and policies. ACER, through the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Centre provided support to OMAES (Oeuvre Malienne d’Aide à l’Enfance du Sahel), a non-governmental organisation in Mali, for the development of an internal monitoring and evaluation system for the Beekunko assessment in...