Time to teach, time to learn : report on the evaluation of outcomes assessment and reporting in NSW government schools

This Report presents the findings of our Evaluation and concludes with a set of Recommendations. It will be obvious from a reading of our findings that much excellent work is occurring in our schools and teachers and their principals are to be commended on the efforts they have made to manage the complex issues arising from new practices in relation to outcomes assessment and reporting. There are, however, problems needing to be addressed, not the least of which is the clear specification of just what is mandatory for teachers in relation to curriculum assessment and reporting outcomes, and where they have more freedom. A major conclusion from the Evaluation is that whatever approaches we adopt to improve the curriculum and reporting practices, ample time must still be there for teachers to show creativity and innovation in their teaching, and for students to explore in detail what it is they are being asked to learn so that they find excitement in the challenges presented to them. Hence the title of our Report is Time to Teach – Time to Learn. We must avoid the danger of over-prescription while ensuring that the curriculum remains rigorous. These considerations have been kept in mind when the Recommendations were being framed.