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Speech Pathology Australia: Speech Pathology in Schools Project
• Focus on reducing the disparity in educational
outcomes for people with a disability and
others.
• Ensure that government reforms and initiatives
for early childhood, education, training and skill
development are responsive to the needs of
people with disability.
• Improve pathways for students with disability
from school to further education, employment
and lifelong learning.
Each state or territory will have its own disability
plan that guides the work that each government
agency needs to complete to meet the strategy
goals. Education departments will have contributed
to the development of the state or territory disability
plan, and will have their own actions arising out
of that plan. Being aware of the priorities for
the department and schools can assist you in
discussing how your work contributes to the bigger
picture.
Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for
Young Australians (December 2008)
As signatories to the Melbourne Declaration,
Australian education ministers seek to achieve
the highest possible level of collaboration with the
government, Catholic and independent school
sectors and across and between all levels of
government. Australian education ministers also
seek to achieve new levels of engagement with all
stakeholders in the education of young Australians.
The Melbourne Declaration acknowledges major
changes in the world that are placing new demands
on Australian education:
• global integration and international mobility
• globalisation and technological change
• complex environmental, social and economic
pressures
• rapid and continuing advances in information
and communication technologies.
Educational goals
Goal 1
Australian schooling promotes equity and
excellence
Goal 2
All young Australians become:
• successful learners;
• confident and creative individuals; and
• active and informed citizens.
The Melbourne Declaration provided the basis for
the development of the Australian Curriculum. The
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting
Authority (ACARA) was set up to be responsible
for the development of a high-quality curriculum
for all Australian students, one that promotes
excellence and equity in education. All students are
entitled to rigorous, relevant and engaging learning
programs drawn from a challenging curriculum that
addresses their individual learning needs. The F-10
Australian Curriculum sets out the core knowledge,
understanding, skills and general capabilities
important for all Australian students. It describes
the learning entitlement of students as a foundation
for successful, lifelong learning and participation in
the Australian community. It acknowledges that the
needs and interests of students will vary, and that
schools and teachers will plan from the curriculum
in ways that respond to those needs and interests.
Context
Human Rights National Disability
Strategy
Melbourn
e Declaration on Educational
Goals for Young Australians