All data will be securely stored under lock and key. (b) After the study. All data will be stored under lock and key. The Chief Investigator will be the only person who is allowed access to the information.

5.3 How will confidential records be destroyed after the study is complete?

NA.

5.4 Will anyone else, apart from the Chief Investigators, have access to confidential records or human tissue samples?

Yes [ ] No [x]

5.5 May any party, other than investigators claim ownership of the materials or results derived from the research?

Yes [ ] No [x]

5.6 Are there any comments you would like to add which may assist the Committee in its consideration of this project? No.

Section Six Declaration

Consent form Yes [x] No [ ]

Information sheet Yes [x] No [ ]

Surveys -- non-standard questionnaire Yes [ ] No [ ]

Ethics approval from external institutions Yes [ ] No [x]

Interview guide Yes [ ] No [x]

Notification of clearance to work with children Yes [ ] No [ ]

6.1 If you are unable to provide the committee with any of the above supporting material please explain?

6.2 Can the Chief Investigator certify that the investigators and assistants involved in experimentation have been fully briefed on procedures and relevant ethical considerations?

Yes [ ] No [ ]

6.3 Have the investigators and assistance involved in the experimentation read the guidelines of the relevant professional body?

Yes [ ] No [ ]

Research Proposal

Abstract

The research study that is going to be undertaken will examine: the underlying challenges that the Australian education system faces in the future and how curriculum can be adapted to reflect these changes. This will help the nation to be more flexible in adapting to the effects from globalization, as the country is at the crossroad between Asia and the West.

Synopsis of Literature

The demographics of Australia are changing, as the country now has 28.8% of the total population born elsewhere. Out of this number 55.7% of the people do not speak English. This problematic, because the changes in globalization are: changing the demographics of the population. To adapt to what has been taking place, means that the education system must embrace curriculum standards that will address the changing population demographics and prepare students for the challenges that they will face in the future. As a result, some kind of study must be conducted, to determine what factors are affecting the curriculum at schools throughout the commonwealth. ("National Agenda for a Multicultural Australia," 2010) The literature review will seek to answer how and in what ways the curriculum of the education system must be adapted; to reflect the changes that are taking place in the economy as well as the population demographics. This will provide a historical and current prospective on the overall scope of the problem and how these different challenges can be addressed. Once this takes place, is when you will have a more in depth understanding the situation.

Research Aims / Objectives

The research aims of the study include: the history of the education system, where it currently ranks, the demographics of the young population, how it is being impacted by globalization and what tools / tactics can be utilized to adapt to these changes. The various questions that will be examined are:

1. The impact that a change in curriculum would have on the Australian education system?

2. Would this help to better prepare Australians for specific challenges they face in the future?

3. Are these changes in curriculum offering quantifiable results?

The different aims and questions of the research will focus the efforts on a variety of different factors that could be affecting the education system, from a number of different perspectives. Given the fact that this is an area of heated debate, an approach must utilized that will examine all the different variables and provide possible solutions.

Methodology

The methodology that will be utilized is the qualitative approach. This is where you are examining different pieces of research on the subject, to determine the underlying causes. With this approach, helping you to understand the total scope of: the problem from different perspectives. This will allow the study to remain objective, while identifying a variety of issues and possible ways that they can be addressed. Once this occurs, is when everyone will be able to understand what steps need to be taken to address the problem.

Data Collection and Analysis

The type...

To include: the history of the education system, where it currently ranks, the demographics of the young population, how it is being impacted by globalization and what tools / tactics can be utilized to adapt to these changes. At the same time, we will be using the observation method as a way of being able to see how participants are responding to various questions. This is when the researcher will pay attention to the responses of participants. Where, they want to see their non-verbal reactions to various questions someone could be asked. (Blaster, 2006, pg. 178) Once this is complete all of these different pieces of information will be compared and corroborated with each other, as an analysis will be conducted. At which point, this will help to provide an overall understanding of the problem and possible solutions for mitigating these effects.
Introduction

Over the last several decades, Australia has undergone a tremendous transformation. At the heart of the changes, are the forces of globalization having a dramatic impact upon society and the economy of Australia. Evidence of this can be seen by looking no further than the population demographics from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, which found that 20.8% of Australian citizens were born overseas. When you look further at the number, 44.3% of immigrants came from English speaking countries, while 55.7% are from non-English speaking countries. ("National Agenda for a Multicultural Australia," 2010) This is significant, because it shows a fundamental shift is occurring, with the population and economy from globalization. Where, the commonwealth is becoming more diverse, reflecting changing realities within society and the economy. For the education system, the challenge is adapting to these changes that are taking place because of globalization. This means that some type of change must occur with the way curriculum is presented, to reflect more of an international perspective. In the past there have been attempts to address this issue, by providing a national guideline on curriculum. The most notable changes were occurring at: the Australia Education Council meeting in 1991. Where, it laid out eight different learning areas to address these challenges to include: technology, mathematics, English, languages other than English, the arts, health / physical education and studies of science / society. However, over the course of time, these learning areas were often criticized by educators and administrators, who felt that a bunch of bureaucrats were determining the curriculum for the entire commonwealth. At which point, many schools and areas would begin to determine their own curriculum on an individual basis. Some good examples of this can be seen with in Victoria and New South Wales. In Victoria they re- evaluated the curriculum and began to deviate from the eight areas. This was accomplished by having students focus on more individual subjects at the secondary level. While in New South Wales, they have introduced major changes to the syllabus, by modifying the curriculum as well. (Marsh, 2004, pp. 24 -- 25) This is problematic, because the lack of having coherent national standards; means that a shot gun approach is being taken with curriculum. Where, each state / territory will determine for themselves what type of curriculum makes sense for them. Given the sharp changes in the economy and the population, this means that a curriculum standard must be established that will provide increased flexibility (on a national level). At the same time, it needs to reflect those principles that will be necessary for Australians, to remain competitive in the global market place. Therefore, some kind of reform needs to take place in curriculum of the education system.

Is the Status Quo Effective?

Despite the obvious issues with curriculum, the Australian school system ranks higher than a number of developed nations including: the United States, Great Britain and Germany. Evidence of this can be seen, by looking at how Australian students performed in math and science against their international counterparts. Where, Australia ranked ninth in math and fifth in science. ("The Economic Impact of the Achievement Gap," 2009) For many proponents of the status quo, this is evidence that the current model that is being utilized is working effectively, in comparison with some of the other developed countries. A good example this is: the reforms that were first implemented in 1987, to improve the quality of education by linking it with changes in the economy. As the school system, is doing what was intended, when the idea of curriculum reform was first introduced (adapting the curriculum to the…