The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, today announced the appointment of Dr Peter Hill as Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA).
Dr Hill, currently Senior Advisor to the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, has more than 20 years experience in the fields of curriculum and assessment. He is expected to begin his new role on 28 September 2009.
Dr Hill has a profound knowledge of education, starting his career as a classroom teacher and building an extensive record of leadership and management in Australia, the USA and Asia.
He played a key role in reforms in Hong Kong, which changed the region’s approach to curriculum, assessment and certification.
This appointment is another important step in the Education Revolution, toward a new era of transparency and quality in Australian schools.
Peter Hill will work closely with ACARA’s board, especially the chair, Professor Barry McGaw and with all education Ministers through the Ministerial Council, MCEECDYA.
The Rudd Government’s vision for world class education standards in Australia requires the close alignment of curriculum, assessment and accountability.
At the end of the year, ACARA will publish school profiles online for the very first time. The profile of each school, government and non-government, will provide accurate data on individual school performance and important, relevant data about school context.
The school profiles will include results from the 2008 and 2009 National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN).
The National Summary Report for 2009 NAPLAN will be released on Friday 11 September and will outline results for each State and Territory. Parents of years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students will receive reports outlining their child’s results from Monday 14 September.
These transparency measures will give parents, teachers and the public much better information about the performance of our schools and allow governments to better target additional resources.
ACARA is responsible for the national management of curriculum, assessment and performance reporting and reports to federal, state and territory education ministers through the Ministerial Council for Education, Early Childhood Development and Youth Affairs (MCEECDYA).
ACARA is led by a 13-member Board of Directors, made up of experts nominated by each of the state and territory governments as well as the Catholic and Independent school sectors.
More information can be found on the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) website.
Deputy Prime Minister’s Press Secretary: Kimberley Gardiner 0434 159 842
Dr Peter Hill
Peter Hill was educated in England and began his career in education as a geography teacher in London secondary schools. He moved to Western Australia in 1970.
Positions
- Senior Adviser, Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (2008-).
- Secretary General, Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (2004-2007).
- Director of Research and Development, National Centre on Education and the Economy, Washington D.C. (2001-2004). The NCEE is a not-for-profit think-tank and a service organisation that provides assistance to some 500 schools and districts across the USA to improve the academic achievements of students in low-performing schools.
- Professor of Education, The University of Melbourne (1993-2000), appointed to Foundation Chair of Educational Leadership and Management from 1994.
- Chief General Manager of the Department of School Education in Victoria (1989-1992).
- Chairperson and Chief Executive of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Board (1986-1989).
- Superintendent of Research and Assistant Director (Planning) in Western Australia (1984-86).
- Secondary teacher and research officer (1967-1984).
Board memberships
- Board member, Australian Council for Educational Research (1998-2000, 2005-2007).
- Chair, Board of Directors, Australian Principals Centre (1998-2000).
- Trustee, National Centre on Education and the Economy, USA (1998-2000).
- Member, Australian Research Council (1997-1999).
Qualifications and Awards
- CertEd. (Birmingham)
- BA (Hons) (London)
- Dip. Ed. (Murdoch)
- Ph.D (Murdoch)
- F.A.C.E. (Fellow of the Australian College of Education)
- F.A.C.E.A. (Honorary Fellow of the Australian Council for Educational Administration)