First I will form the subjects then the structure of schooling.
Mathematics: I disagree that it solely should be divided into Pure and Applied Mathematics. I think everyone should have proper access to a good Mathematics education which is why at least 2 units of Mathematics in my view should be compulsory (I will expand upon later).
I think there should be:
- General Mathematics 1U (as is now, catered to suit all students, minimum mathematics education one must undertake)
- Mathematics 2U (calculus based course, similar to how it is now), contains the Volumes from current MX2.
An abolishment of Mathematics Extension 1. I would rather this to be combined with Extension 2 knowledge. To make
- Specialist Mathematics 4U
Which would contain: All topics within Maths X1 and X2, schooling starts from the beginning of y11, an emphasis on rigour, more of a problem solving based course.
2U Mathematics is assumed knowledge (to be taught in tandem with 4U, but does not count towards ATAR).
Differential Equations should be included, Volumes should be taught in 2U.
- Applied Mathematics 1U
This can only be attempted by students doing 4U Maths, would have a great emphasis on Applied Maths, Probability Theory, Statistics (proper).
Which would in total make a student capable of 5 Units of maths.
English:
- English Standard 2U (minimum level, compulsory, should be structured as it is now, less emphasis on specific areas such as Visual)
- English Advanced 2U (compulsory if not doing Standard, should be structured as is now, less emphasis on specific areas such as Visual)
AOS should remain, and be 2 hours, with only an essay and creative writing.
Paper 2 should be as it is, 3 hours for the 3 modules.
- Literature Studies 1U (similar to Extension 1 English now)
- General Studies 1U (very similar to the General Studies 1U course pre-2001 syllabus change)
- Extension English 1U (exactly the same as Extension 2 English now)
- Visual Literature 1U (film-making, like Drama, emphasis on speaking)
One cannot do Visual Literature with General Studies.
So a maximum total of English units one can do is 5 units (same as Maths).
Other subjects:
- All mainstream subjects that don't currently have an extension should have one.
So this means 3U: Physics, Economics, Chemistry, Biology, Legal Studies, Business Studies
Whereby in each 3U course a more advanced mindset should be applied, in order to do 3U Physics, Economics or Chemistry, Mathematics 2U is a pre-requisite.
Rote learners should be punished.
All elective modules should be abolished at 2U level, an elective module is present at 3U level. Any 3U subject with Calculus or other Maths concepts involved should include Calculus being used.
- SDD:
Someone can comment on this better than I, but I guess the computing, logic that would be in Applied Math should be here instead.
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- The 10 Units system should remain, it is very successful in my opinion.
- NO subjects are compulsory to the ATAR
- At least 1U of Maths and 2U of English must be done.
5U Maths should be comprised of 2 papers, each 3 hours.
Literature Studies and General Studies 2 hours each.
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I think all courses should also examine year 11 content, however assessment that counts should start at year 12. Schools should be able to do anything they want within appropriate bounds, aligning will take care of 'unfairness'.
Government books, are not that great of an idea in my opinion, most of the time the private sector will perform better than the public sector, no doubt that even though there is a government textbook someone will publish a better book.
The problem with the ideas, are that they take way too much money to implement, there are a shortage of teachers in some subjects, so putting all teachers through a rigorous quality test will just lower the supply of teachers we have, which is never a good idea.
Unless you can change society's views and show that teaching is an incredibly noble profession and maybe increase the pay a bit, the number of teachers will sadly not increase that much.
I think that's all I have to say.