'An ancient history in Australia as well':NESA flags HSC changesCredit:Wolter Peeters
Several prominent mathematiciansattacked the draft Maths syllabuses,and warned that the standards authority risked its credibility because the drafts were littered with poor mathematical language. The standards authority said it was still finalising the advanced maths syllabuses.
The chairman of the standards authority,Tom Alegounarias,said he expected some criticism that the new syllabuses were"old-fashioned"or"dumbing-down and back to basics"but he denied that,saying it was about"depth and mastery".
"We have done extensive audits to reduce unnecessary breadth because we do not want a helicopter ride through learning,"Mr Alegounarias said.
He said a new topic,the Craft of Writing,would be mandatory for all English students. English is the only compulsory HSC subject.