Only 38 Percent of Year 10 Students Proficient in Civic Education: Senate Inquiry

Less than four in ten Year 10 students have a proper understanding of the political system and how democracy works in Australia. During a Senate inquiry on May 23, members of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters explored the decline in understanding of civics education among students across the country. Every three years, the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) conducts an assessment of Year Six and 10 students about civics and citizenship (NAP–CC). The NAP–CC assessment covers many areas, including Australia’s political and legal systems, federal system of government, liberal democratic values, and the nature of citizenship. A representative sample of students from public, catholic and independent schools in metropolitan, rural and remote regions is randomly selected for assessment each time....