Guide to the Western Australia Curriculum for Teachers

Western Australia implements the Australian Curriculum through the Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline (WACAE). WA schools follow Australian Curriculum learning areas and achievement standards, with additional Western Australian guidance and support for contextualisation.

Western Australia's approach emphasises the development of learners' capabilities, knowledge, and dispositions that prepare them for success in the contemporary world. The curriculum values student agency, inquiry-based learning, and real-world application of knowledge.

The Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline (WACAE) provides detailed implementation guidance for Australian Curriculum in WA schools. It includes curriculum statements, teaching advice, assessment guidance, and resource recommendations specific to Western Australian contexts.

The Department of Education and Training Western Australia provides professional learning, resource development support, and curriculum coordination through regional networks. School leaders and teachers can access support through their regional education offices.

Western Australian curriculum implementation emphasises inquiry-based learning and place-based education. Students are encouraged to explore real-world issues, investigate local environments and communities, and develop knowledge through authentic inquiry. This approach helps students see the relevance of curriculum to their own lives and communities.

Many WA schools integrate Indigenous knowledge and perspectives throughout curriculum, reflecting the importance of First Nations cultures and histories in Western Australian education. The curriculum explicitly recognises Indigenous peoples' relationships with Country and incorporates this perspective across learning areas.

Western Australia reports student progress using Australian Curriculum achievement standards. The WACAE provides assessment guidance and reporting frameworks to help schools document and communicate progress. Understanding how to use these frameworks supports accurate assessment and reporting.

Schools use achievement standard descriptors to assess student learning and determine progress against the curriculum. Professional learning opportunities help teachers develop assessment literacy and consistency in making judgements about student achievement.

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WACAE Curriculum Implementation Resources

Official Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline resources, including implementation guides, teaching advice, assessment exemplars, and support for contextualising learning.

Free WA Official

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