Pragmatics, politics and moral purpose: the quest for an authentic national curriculum
| Date | 14 August 2009 |
| Published date | 14 August 2009 |
| Pages | 545-556 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/09578230910981053 |
| Author | Michael Bezzina,Robert J. Starratt,Charles Burford |
| Subject Matter | Education |
Pragmatics, politics and moral
purpose: the quest for an
authentic national curriculum
Michael Bezzina
School of Educational Leadership, Australian Catholic University,
Strathfield, Australia
Robert J. Starratt
Lynch School of Education, Boston College, Chestnut Hill,
Massachusetts, USA, and
Charles Burford
School of Educational Leadership, Australian Catholic University,
Strathfield, Australia
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the debate on the development of a national
curriculum for Australia. The paper challenges stakeholders to interrogate the question of national
curriculum, its purpose, values and potential for delivering the type of education Australia wants for
its citizens in the twenty-first century.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides a general review of the literature, research
and opinion associated with the politics, purpose, leadership and potential for change associated with
national curriculum innovation.
Findings – The national curriculum looms as the largest educational change in Australia’s history
and requires a thorough examination by stakeholders of the purposes and values underpinning it and
how such a centralised curriculum can build the learning capacity of the nation. Authentic engagement
of teachers, “buy in”, bottom-up and top-down strategies, extensive time for negotiations and the
engagement of educational and political leaders are seen as important for community ownership of the
product.
Practical implications – The paper challenges political and educational leaders to conduct the
national curriculum building dialogue at the local, state and national level and to open up previous
“givens” to interrogation. It calls for a long-term process to protect the authenticity and moral purpose
of the process and maximise its ownership and potential for change.
Originality/value – The paper addresses the greatest challenge yet to face Australian education, to
deliver a national curriculum that delivers authentic learning for the future needs of Australians and
Australia. It presents a case for stakeholders to engage the challenge through a professionally
informed and morally defensible approach.
Keywords National curriculum,Education, Politics, Australia
Paper type General review
Introduction
On 15 April 2008, Deputy Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard announced the
membership of the newly formed National Curriculum Board, describing its task as:
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0957-8234.htm
An authentic
national
curriculum
545
Received December 2008
Revised April 2009
Accepted April 2009
Journal of Educational
Administration
Vol. 47 No. 5, 2009
pp. 545-556
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0957-8234
DOI 10.1108/09578230910981053
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