Is the ‘Health and Physical Education’ Curriculum in South Australia Enough? A Critical Review of the SACSA Framework and the New SACE Curriculum

Abstract

Sexually transmitted diseases as well as the major hepatides, hepatitis A, B and C are on the rise in South Australia, specifically among the adolescents and young adults" age group. Adolescents rely much on school programs for their health-related information. Accordingly, the present review provides critical insights into the existing "Health and Physical Education" Learning Area under the "SACSA Framework" and "new SACE" in South Australia. It highlights the drawbacks and also addresses the gaps in the aforesaid Learning Area, insinuating towards the need of a comprehensive curriculum in an effort to effectively combat the spread of these diseases.

Assessment of Learning in Health Sciences Education: MLT Case Study

“…This is consistent with Jonassen's (2004) argument that a single form of assessment, cannot ensure effective assessment or measurement for acquiring problem-solving skills and competences. Rather, as Abbatt (1992) suggests that an effective learning assessment system should be intergrated and comprehensive enough to the extent that it should incoperate a wide range of forms of assessment that are consistent with curriculum frameworks and structures.This is in line with literature which suggests the need to ensure that appropriate alignment of assessment with the teaching and instructional objectives is done as stated in the existing curriculum frameworks and structures (Biggs, 2002;Bunch, 2012;Talukdar & Aspland, 2012).…”

“…The purposes of assessment are many and may range from providing diagnostic information about the student's academic progress to improving the educational program in general (Mislevy & Knowles, 2002;Talukdar & Aspland, 2012). Assessment is aimed at measuring the extent to which learners achieved the present program aims, goals and objectives and levels of attaining the attitudes, skills, and knowhow (Amri et al, 1993;Spady, 1994).…”

“…The assessment determines the learner's performance in a specified domain. The assessment aims at testing mastery levels among learners (English & Steffy, 2001;Talukdar & Aspland, 2012). For consistency, it is important that a test criterion for a particular domain is specified.…”