Curriculum reform for home schooling parents
Home schooling families have extra time to adopt some new syllabuses. Check when you need to have changed over.
When to implement the new syllabuses
The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) will provide information to home schooling parents as we release new syllabuses, to let you know when you will need to implement them.
You can find out what new syllabuses are coming by viewing the Curriculum Reform timeline.
Schools implemented the new English and Mathematics K–2 syllabuses at the start of 2023.
Home schooling families now need to demonstrate that their child's education program is based on the new English and Mathematics K–2 syllabuses. This has applied to all applications for initial and renewed home schooling registration submitted since 8 April 2023.
Schools are implementing the new English and Mathematics 3–10 syllabuses from Term 1, 2024.
Home schooling families have additional time to transition to the new syllabuses.
Until 12 April 2024
When you apply for registration before or on 12 April 2024 (end Term 1), your child's educational program can be based on current or new English and Mathematics syllabuses.
From 13 April 2024
When you apply from 13 April 2024, your child's educational program must be based on the new English and Mathematics syllabuses.
NESA has updated or replaced some optional (elective) syllabuses under the Curriculum Reform agenda.
Schools will implement the new optional (elective) K–12 syllabuses in Term 1, 2024.
If these optional (elective) courses are in your child's educational program, you have extra time to transition to the new syllabuses.
Until 12 April 2024
Home schooling families applying for initial and renewal of home schooling registration up until 12 April 2024 (end Term 1, 2024) will need to demonstrate that the optional (elective) syllabus elements of their child’s education program will be based on either the:
- current optional (elective) K–10 syllabuses, or
- new optional (elective) K–10 syllabuses.
From 13 April 2024
When you apply from 13 April 2024, your child's educational program must be based on the new syllabuses, where applicable.
Children who commenced studying an optional (elective) syllabus in Years 7, 9, or 11 in 2023 may continue and complete the study of that syllabus.
Optional (elective) syllabuses available for implementation in 2024 are:
- Aboriginal Languages K–10
- Classical Languages K–10
- Modern Languages K–10
- Computing Technology 7–10 (replacing Information and Software Technology)
- Computing Technology Life Skills 11–12 (replacing Information Processes and Technology Life Skills)
- Enterprise Computing 11–12 (replacing Information Processes and Technology)
- Geography 11–12
- Geography Life Skills 11–12
- Software Engineering 11–12 (replacing Software Design and Development)
Changes in the new syllabuses
New syllabuses developed under NSW Curriculum Reform are available on NSW Curriculum.
Changes in the new syllabuses include:
- simple, concise language that identifies key knowledge and skills
- clear learning outcomes and related content with examples
- the removal of stage statements
- content that is easily accessed and navigated on a new NSW Curriculum website
- supports for students K–6 with significant intellectual disability.
Assessment of the educational program by an Authorised Person
Under the Education Act 1990, all children in NSW registered for home schooling must have an educational program based on and taught in accordance with the relevant NESA syllabuses. This includes the new syllabuses as required by the timeframes outlined.
Registration requirements for the assessment of home schooling registration applications have not changed. If your educational program does not adequately demonstrate that it is based on relevant NESA syllabuses, you may:
- receive a shorter period of registration, or
- have your application refused.
Authorised Persons (APs) assess home schooling registration applications. They make a recommendation according to the NSW Education Act 1990. The assessment process is also described in the Guidelines.
NESA provides ongoing professional learning for APs on new syllabuses.
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