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ETL502 - Secondary Schooling Operations and Practices

2025

Sector

Higher Education

Discipline

Education

Credit Points

Equivalent Units

Prerequisites

Incompatible

Coerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

Unit Description

This unit provides preservice teachers with a comprehensive understanding of theories, practices and legislation that underpin the governance, teaching and operation of secondary schools. Preservice teachers will develop indepth knowledge of the relevant national, state or territory legislation that underpins school operations and their teaching practices. The theoretical frameworks supporting the operation of secondary schools will be reviewed, and relevant research findings on their effectiveness discussed. Curriculum reform strategies of integrated and negotiated curriculum for junior secondary, and a differentiated curriculum of (1) high academic, (2) academic and (3) vocational education programs in senior secondary schools will be critically analysed. Schooling and operational structures will be evaluated for the development and trialing of new initiatives for schooling models and improvement, including changes pending under the Disability Inquiry 2023.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1.	Critically analyse the relevant legislation applicable to the governance, teaching and operation of secondary schools, and critically judge the impact of non-compliance, including implications for equity, diversity and inclusion.
2.	Critically discuss and analyse the theories and models and the evidence impacting the operation and effectiveness of junior secondary, senior secondary schools, and comprehensive secondary schools.
3.	Evaluate the success of curriculum reform strategies in junior secondary and senior secondary schools respectively.
4.	Critically analyse schooling and operational structures in a range of contexts and the recent findings for success and effectiveness of new secondary schooling initiatives and improvement programs.
5.	Critically examine the national assessment program.

Assessment Overview

	Assessment Task	Value (of total mark)	Related Learning Outcome/s
1.	Oral presentation (5 minutes)	10%	1
2.	Report (800 words)	20%	1,2,3,5
3.	Case study (1,200 words or equivalent)	30%	1,2,4
4.	Policy review (1,600 words)	40%	3,4,5

Unit Availability

Year	Semester	Att Mode	Location	Learning Method	Timetable*
2025	Semester 1	Internal	Casuarina Campus	OLR	View
2025	Semester 1	External	External Studies	OLR	View
2025	Semester 2	Internal	Danala - Education and Community Precinct	OLR	View
2025	Semester 2	External	External Studies	OLR	View

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OLR: Internet access is required for this unit as students are required to access study materials provided on-line through Learnline. Please log into Learnline on the first day of each teaching period. For more information about Learnline, please click here.

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Fee Information:
Fees and Payments
Student Services and Amenities Fees
2026 Domestic Unit Fees (PDF)
2025 Incidental Fees (PDF)