While the constructs of Tasmania's Essential Learnings Framework have been influenced by outcomes-based education, the essential learnings have their origins in curriculum thinking refined over a long period by the State's Department of Education. They are supported by a research base encompassing child development, brain activity and intelligence. However, the Essential Learnings Framework fails to give sufficient prominence to the core academic areas. The assessment system relies heavily on individual teacher’s assessments, raising concerns about consistency. View Article...