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Essential Learnings

The Essential Learnings within the Queensland Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting (QCAR) Framework form the core of learning programs for students in Years 1 to 9 state schools.

The Essential Learnings are described for the end of Year 3, Year 5, Year 7 and Year 9 in eight key learning areas.

The Essential Learnings were developed using four constructs:

knowledge and understanding
inquiring
responding
reflecting.

These constructs ensure continuity across the learning areas.

For all eight key learning areas, the Essential Learnings are organised into two dimensions:

Ways of working, which describe the essential processes that students use to engage in learning, and to develop and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding.
Knowledge and understanding, which describe the essential concepts, facts and procedures of the key learning area.

Whilst the Essential Learnings are the core of the curriculum, they need not represent the total curriculum. A variety of opportunities to investigate issues/learnings relevant to the needs and interests of students in various school communities may complement these essentials.

Implementation of QCAR in state schools is supported by:

The Roadmap for curriculum, teaching, assessment and reporting in Years 1-10
The Scope and Sequence Years 1-9, which provided useful ideas for scoping the Essential Learnings
The Literacy and Numeracy indicators .

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