Indigenous Learners
In recognition of our past “poor record” regarding indigenous education, there are currently a range of initiatives designed to give greater voice to Indigenous culture and perspectives.
Policies / Guidelines
Indigenous Portal
Strategies
- National Indigenous English Literacy and Numeracy Strategy (NIELNS)
- What works: The Work Program
- Indigenous Education Comparative Policies, Strategies and Evaluations (
PDF 14.6 KB)
Websites
- Aboriginal Education for all Learners in South Australia: A beginner’s Guide to DECS Aboriginal Education (PDF 981 KB)
- Apology to Australia's Indigenous Peoples (13 February 2008) (PDF 41.2 KB)
- Australian Directions in Indigenous Education 2005–2008 (PDF 632 KB)
- Australian Indigenous People: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Inhabitants of Australia (Trinity College, Western Australia)
- Better Practice in School Attendance - Improving the School Attendance of Indigenous Students (PDF 373 KB)
- Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR)
- DEST Reconciliation Action Plan
- Education Strategy for Koorie Students
- Education, Training and Careers Services for Koories\
- Indigenous terms / VAEAI
- Making a Difference: The Impact of Australia's Indigenous Education and Training Policy (PDF 975 KB)
- Positive Self–Identity for Indigenous Students and its Relationship to School Outcomes (July, 2000) A project funded by the Commonwealth Department of Education Training and Youth Affairs. Accessed 17 September, 2008 Access via (bottom of page)
- Wannik (Learning Together – Journey to Our Future) Education Strategy for Koorie Students (2008) (PDF 981 KB)
- Youth Transition Support Initiative
Indigenous Organizations
- National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy (AEP)
- Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc. (VAEAI)
Teaching Approaches
- Teaching Aboriginal students (Dept. Ed&Training, Western Australia)
- Teaching Aboriginal Students (1994) Video recording - 60 min
- Understanding death in the Aboriginal community (PDF 45 KB)
- Better classroom management (PDF 46.3 KB)
- Conductive hearing loss and Aboriginal students (PDF 103 KB)
- Engaging with Aboriginal people (PDF 72.9 KB)
- Creating an inclusive curriculum (PDF 42.8 KB)
- Myths in presenting Aboriginal issues in mainstream classrooms (PDF 46 KB)
- Use of appropriate terminology (PDF 48.5 KB)
- Gettin' into it! (Australian Training Products Ltd. with funding from the Federal Department of Education, Science and Training) (PDF 796 KB)
Publications
- Gray, B. N. (2007). Accelerating the literacy development of indigenous students: the National Accelerated Literacy Program (NALP). Darwin, N.T.: Charles Darwin University Press.
- Harrison, N. (2008). Teaching and learning in indigenous education. Melbourne, Vic: Oxford University Press.
- Howard, P.,&Perry, B. (2006). Issues in Teaching Mathematics to Aboriginal Students (PDF 107 KB). Retrieved 1 October, 2008
Examples of school practice
- Strong&smart: Aboriginal children are expected to do poorly at school. Teacher Chris Sarra blasts away the prejudice.