Joint Media Release with the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment Training and Youth Affairs
Australian Education Ministers have today announced the membership of the new Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA).
ACARA will be a key driver of the new era of transparency and quality in all Australian schools.
In October 2008, the Council of Australian Governments agreed that the new authority would be responsible for the management of curriculum, assessment and reporting at the national level.
The Authority will be led by a 13 member Board of Directors made up of experts nominated by each of the Australian and State and Territory Governments as well as the Catholic and Independent school sectors.
The membership of ACARA has been agreed to by all state and territory Education Ministers through the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA).
The establishment of ACARA will also enable the realisation of key commitments in the Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians.
ACARA will be led by Professor Barry McGaw and Mr Tony Mackay, with representatives from all states and territories and the non-government sector.
| Professor Barry McGaw |
Chair |
| Mr Tony Mackay |
Deputy Chair |
| Mr Tom Alegounarias |
Board Member (New South Wales) |
| Mr John Firth |
Board Member (Victoria) |
| Ms Lesley Englert |
Board Member (Queensland) |
| Ms Helen Wildash |
Board Member (South Australia) |
| Professor Bill Louden |
Board Member (Western Australia) |
| Mr David Hanlon |
Board Member (Tasmania) |
| Ms Debbie Efthymiades |
Board Member (Northern Territory) |
| Ms Dianne Kerr |
Board Member (Australian Capital Territory) |
| Mr Angus James |
Board Member (Australian Government) |
| Mr Garry Le Duff |
Board Member (Independent Schools Council of Australia) |
| Dr Brian Croke |
Board Member (National Catholic Education Commission) |
ACARA will report to all Australian Education Ministers through the Ministerial Council.
It is internationally recognised that achieving world class education standards requires the close alignment of curriculum, assessment and accountability to set high expectations for all students and reinforce a relentless focus on improving student outcomes.
ACARA will enable that combined focus, including more effective transparency and accountability mechanisms that meet the needs of students, parents, teachers and the broader community.
ACARA will reflect the commitment made by the Australian Government and State and Territory governments to provide all young Australians with a world class education.
Through better monitoring of performance at the student, school and system level, educational outcomes can be lifted across all schools.