‘Review of Geography education in NSW K-12’

‘‘Review of Geography Review of Geography education in NSW education in NSW

K-12’K-12’

GTA meeting – 15 February 2007GTA meeting – 15 February 2007

Lindsay SwanLindsay SwanInspector, Human Society and Its EnvironmentInspector, Human Society and Its Environment

Review of Geography education in NSW K-12’Review of Geography education in NSW K-12’

Following a recommendation in the 2006 HSIE Following a recommendation in the 2006 HSIE Syllabus Evaluation Report, during 2007 the Board of Syllabus Evaluation Report, during 2007 the Board of Studies is conducting a review of ‘Geography Studies is conducting a review of ‘Geography education K-12’. The review aims to canvas views education K-12’. The review aims to canvas views about the current state of geography education in NSW about the current state of geography education in NSW in K-6, Years 7-10 and in Years 11-12. in K-6, Years 7-10 and in Years 11-12.

The aim is to determine the nature of geographical The aim is to determine the nature of geographical education in NSW schools and consider ways to education in NSW schools and consider ways to reverse the decline in student enrolments in Stage 6 reverse the decline in student enrolments in Stage 6 Geography.Geography.

As a result of the review a report will be provided to the As a result of the review a report will be provided to the Board of Studies as part of the 2007 HSIE Syllabus Board of Studies as part of the 2007 HSIE Syllabus Evaluation Report.Evaluation Report.

‘‘Review of Geography education in NSW K-12’Review of Geography education in NSW K-12’

K-6 HSIEK-6 HSIE

Many K-6 teachers adopt an integrated Many K-6 teachers adopt an integrated programming model for HSIE and other KLAs, programming model for HSIE and other KLAs, especially English and/or Science and especially English and/or Science and Technology. Technology.

Seen by many as a positive feature of the Seen by many as a positive feature of the flexible HSIE syllabus.flexible HSIE syllabus.

A reduced focus on HSIE learning, especially A reduced focus on HSIE learning, especially skills development, and lack of continuity for skills development, and lack of continuity for student learning within HSIE. student learning within HSIE.

Question of how much actual geography Question of how much actual geography students in primary schools engage with.students in primary schools engage with.


Years 7-10Years 7-10

As the Years 7-10 Geography syllabus was As the Years 7-10 Geography syllabus was implemented from 2004, there is limited data implemented from 2004, there is limited data apart from anecdotal feedback. apart from anecdotal feedback.

Some of the comments from teachers indicate Some of the comments from teachers indicate that the Geography syllabus has been well that the Geography syllabus has been well received.received.

Teachers appreciate the reduced content and Teachers appreciate the reduced content and the ‘learn about’ and ‘learn to’ format.the ‘learn about’ and ‘learn to’ format.

Implementation of the revised Years 7-10 Implementation of the revised Years 7-10 syllabuses will continue to be monitored. syllabuses will continue to be monitored.


Years 7-10Years 7-10

Questions of implementation and possible Questions of implementation and possible implications for Stage 6 Geographyimplications for Stage 6 Geography Syllabus Syllabus Programming Programming Student engagementStudent engagement ResourcesResources FieldworkFieldwork Staffing Staffing Timetable issuesTimetable issues AHGCC TestAHGCC Test Choosing Stage 6 Geography?Choosing Stage 6 Geography?


Stage 6Stage 6

Decline in enrolments from the early 1990s. Decline in enrolments from the early 1990s. 1990 - 15225 students (from fewer total number of 1990 - 15225 students (from fewer total number of

students to HSC)students to HSC) by 1995 dropped to 10081 (34% decline) by 1995 dropped to 10081 (34% decline) 2000 enrolments were 6213 (a further decline of 2000 enrolments were 6213 (a further decline of

38% and a decline overall since 1990 of 59%). 38% and a decline overall since 1990 of 59%).

The decline has continued during the New The decline has continued during the New HSC with an enrolment in 2006 of 4547 (a HSC with an enrolment in 2006 of 4547 (a decline of 27% since 2000). decline of 27% since 2000).


Stage 6Stage 6

Geography Stage 6 Geography Stage 6

Preliminary enrolmentsPreliminary enrolments 2000 2001 20022000 2001 2002 2003 2003 2004 2005 2004 2005 7967 7947 73507967 7947 7350 5762 5762 6300 5860 6300 5860

HSC enrolmentsHSC enrolments 2001 2002 20032001 2002 2003 2004 2004 2005 2006 2005 2006 6213 6092 55566213 6092 5556 4408 4408 4913 4547 4913 4547


Stage 6Stage 6

Geography HSC performance dataGeography HSC performance data


Review processReview process

Consultation with teachers – Consultation with teachers – Broken Hill (22 February), Met South-West (6 March), Met Broken Hill (22 February), Met South-West (6 March), Met

North (13 March), Hunter (20 March), Riverina (27 March). North (13 March), Hunter (20 March), Riverina (27 March). Consultation meetings and Focus groupsConsultation meetings and Focus groups

Morning: 7-12 school Morning: 7-12 school Afternoon: Primary school Afternoon: Primary school Late afternoon: Geography teachers consultation meetingLate afternoon: Geography teachers consultation meeting Morning: Years 7-12 teachers from 3 schools (where Geography Morning: Years 7-12 teachers from 3 schools (where Geography

enrolments and student engagement is strong/satisfactory/limited)enrolments and student engagement is strong/satisfactory/limited) Forum of teachers (15-20) from nominated schools to discuss Forum of teachers (15-20) from nominated schools to discuss

range of issues, representing a variety of schools range of issues, representing a variety of schools (DET/Catholic/Independent) of different types (DET/Catholic/Independent) of different types (comprehensive/selective/single sex/metropolitan/rural) and (comprehensive/selective/single sex/metropolitan/rural) and where Geography enrolments and student engagement is where Geography enrolments and student engagement is strong/satisfactory/limited.strong/satisfactory/limited.



Consultation with studentsConsultation with students Focus groups – K-6; 7-10; 11-12Focus groups – K-6; 7-10; 11-12

Morning: Years 7-10 and 11-12Morning: Years 7-10 and 11-12 Afternoon: Primary school - Years 3-6Afternoon: Primary school - Years 3-6 As per teachers in schools consultation scheduleAs per teachers in schools consultation schedule

Consultation with key groupsConsultation with key groups GTA – Geography Teachers AssociationGTA – Geography Teachers Association DET – Department of Education and TrainingDET – Department of Education and Training CEC – Catholic Education CommissionCEC – Catholic Education Commission AIS – Association of Independent SchoolsAIS – Association of Independent Schools

Consultation with AcademicsConsultation with Academics



Questions of implementationQuestions of implementationSyllabus Syllabus Student engagementStudent engagementResourcesResourcesFieldworkFieldworkHSC Exam & assessmentHSC Exam & assessmentWork related skills/training/optionsWork related skills/training/optionsChoosing tertiary Geography?Choosing tertiary Geography?


ContactContact

Lindsay SwanLindsay SwanBoard Inspector – HSIEBoard Inspector – HSIE

Phone: 9367 8150Phone: 9367 8150

Fax: 9367 8435Fax: 9367 8435

Email: [email protected]: [email protected]

Documents

‘Review of Geography education in NSW K-12’