QUEENSLAND HOME ECONOMICS CURRICULUM INFORMATION

 
In Queensland, the Queensland Studies Authority (QSA) has responsibility for syllabus development. QSA’s functions also relate to moderation, testing, assessment, accreditation, certification, Vocational Education and Training and tertiary entrance.

Years 8 - 10

Syllabuses for Years 1–9 will be redeveloped by the Queensland Studies Authority. In the meantime, the Essential Learnings developed as a component of the Queensland Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Framework should underpin curriculum programs and units of work in Years 1–9.

In Years 8 and 9 the Essential Learnings are the basis of curriculum for all schools. The Essential Learnings describe the knowledge, understanding and ways of working that students need for ongoing learning, social and personal competence and participation in a democratic society. They identify what teachers should teach and what students should have opportunities to know, understand and be able to do at the end of Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 in the eight key learning areas:

  • Health and Physical Education (HPE)
  • Science
  • Studies of Society and Environment (SOSE)
  • Languages Other Than English (LOTE)
  • Technology
  • The Arts
  • Mathematics
  • English


The assessment of the Essential Learnings is guided by the Assessable Elements and Standards Descriptors that accompany the Essential Learnings.

The key learning areas that are relevant to home economics are Health and Physical Education, Technology and Studies of Society and Environment.

The Essential Learnings and related Assessable Elements and Standards Descriptors for all key learning areas are available on the QSA website www.qsa.qld.edu.au

In addition to the eight key learning areas, QSA has developed subject area syllabuses and guidelines for five subject areas. Home economics education is one of these five subject areas. The Home Economics Education Subject Area Syllabus and Guidelines is available from the QSA website.



Technology

The Technology Essential Learning are organised as follows:

  • Technology as human endeavour
  • Information, materials and systems (resources).

The Assessable Elements for Technology are:

  • Knowledge and understanding
  • Investigating and designing
  • Proucing
  • Evaluating
  • Reflecting

 


Health and Physical Education

The Health and Physical Education Essential Learning are organised as follows:

  • Health
  • Physical activity
  • Personal development

It is anticipated that home economics teachers will plan curriculum related to the Health and Personal development organisers. The Assesable Elements for HPE are:

  • Knowlege and understanding
  • Investigating
  • Planning
  • Implementing and appying
  • Reflecting

The Home Economics Education Subject Area Syllabus and Guidelines draws on learning outcomes from the key learning areas of HPE, Technology and SOSE and includes additional home economics specific learning outcomes.

The QSA website provides comprehensive information about the Queensland Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Framework. Users can view and download Essential Learnings, Professional Development modules and planning resources.

Teachers planning using the Essential Learnings should also refer to the policies of their specific school authority and of their school when making decisions for Years 8–9 curriculum programs


 

Home Economics Education Syllabus and Guidelines
Level 4 to Beyond Level 6

The syllabus has three stands
  • Home economics practice
    The organisers for this strand are: Empowerment practice; Social inquiry practice; Technology practice.

  • Becoming independent
    The organisers for this strand are: human growth and development; food, nutrition and health; nature of materials and techniques to manipulate materials; consumer decisions; safety.

  • Living in the wider society
    The organisers for this strand are: self concept and self esteem; relationships with others; personal and interpersonal skills; futures in home economics situations.

Courses of study can be devised from these strands. If a school chooses, outcomes from one or more of the key learning area syllabuses can be included in the course of study to meet its own students’ needs.