In July 1996, Ministers for Education in States, Territories and the Commonwealth agreed that 'every child leaving primary school should be numerate, and be able to read, write and spell at an appropriate level'. Ministers agreed to develop national benchmarks for use in reporting minimum acceptable standards of literacy and numeracy achievement, in support of the national goal.
This website contains the electronic version of benchmarks in literacy and numeracy for years 3, 5 and 7 which were approved by the Ministers in April 2000 and published by Curriculum Corporation.
The benchmarks were developed under the authority of a Benchmarking Taskforce, comprising nominees of State, Territory and Commonwealth Ministers, the National Catholic Education Commission, the National Council of Independent Schools' Associations and Curriculum Corporation. Curriculum Corporation also had carriage of development work.
Consultation has taken place on successive drafts of the benchmarks. Groups with significant involvement include State and Territory curriculum and assessment authorities, the Commonwealth, the Catholic and independent sectors, independent curriculum and assessment experts (including academics), teacher professional associations and parent organisations.
The Ministerial agreement on a national literacy and numeracy goal and the development of related benchmarks represent a historic agreement in Australia. They demonstrate the common intention across the nation to ensure that all students attain a necessary level of literacy and numeracy and to report on student achievement in comparable ways.
Further information about the benchmarks can be found on the Commonwealth Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs website.
Literacy Benchmarks
Numeracy Benchmarks
Order details
- Literacy Benchmarks: Year 3, 5 & 7
Available from Curriculum Corporation as a teacher resource consisting of a book and 3 posters:
- Numeracy Benchmarks: Year 3, 5 & 7
Available from Curriculum Corporation as a teacher resource consisting of a book and 3 posters:
Postal Address: Curriculum Corporation P.O. Box 177, Carlton South, Victoria, 3053. Australia AUSDOC: DX 95315 Carlton Telephone: +61 3 9207 9600 Facsimile: +61 3 9639 1616