Indigenous Perspectives in Australian Education EDU203

After you have read this information, head over to the Assignment 2 Q&A discussion board to ask any questions and see what your peers are saying about this assignment.

This assignment supports unit learning outcomes 1 and 2 .

Assignment details

During this unit you have been challenged to think deeply about Indigenous perspectives and reflect upon the impact historical events, policies and practices have had on the lives of Indigenous peoples. Through this process, you might have been challenged, confronted or had your ideas and beliefs reinforced. Hopefully, you have been able to broaden your understanding of Australian history and begin to understand the impact of historical and contemporary events and issues on Indigenous peoples.

Completing this assignment will assist you to develop your competency with relation to the following Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate) Focus Areas:

Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate) Focus Areas

Standard 1

Standard 2

Focus Area 1.4: Strategies for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students

Demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of the impact of culture, cultural identity and linguistic background on the education of students from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.

Focus Area 2.4: Understand and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to promote reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians

Demonstrate broad knowledge of, understanding and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and languages.

Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate) Focus Areas (2024) created by Swinburne Online

This essay requires you to explore a specific event, policy or practice and discuss the historical and contemporary impacts on Indigenous society and educational contexts. You will then critique the current state of Indigenous education, discussing challenges, successes, and opportunities for improvement.

This essay has two parts (outlined below) and is based on the materials and content from the first six weeks of the unit.

Part A 1000 words

Identify and explore one specific Australian event, policy or practice and discuss the historical and contemporary impacts on Indigenous society and educational contexts.

A list of topics, with writing prompts, has been provided below. If you wish to explore a topic not on this list, you will need to discuss this with your lecturer to ensure it meets the requirements of the assessment criteria. Select each of the following tabs to learn more about the topics.

TOPIC 1

The impact of British colonisation on Indigenous Australians

• Explore the effects of British colonisation on Indigenous Australians, including the dispossession of land, disconnection from family and culture and the imposition of British systems of living.
• Discuss the ongoing societal and educational impacts of colonisation on Indigenous people.

TOPIC 2

The forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families

• Examine the historical context, policies and practices that led to the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families and communities.
• Discuss the ongoing societal and educational impacts of forced removal on Indigenous people.

TOPIC 3

Protection policies and assimilation

• Examine the impact of protection policies and assimilation strategies imposed by the Australian Government on Indigenous Australian peoples.
• Discuss the historical and contemporary impacts on societal and educational contexts for Indigenous peoples.

TOPIC 4

Impacts of Missions and Reserves on Indigenous Australian communities

• Investigate the historical impacts of Missions and Reserves on the lives of Indigenous Australians, including displacement, loss of traditional practices and disconnection from family and culture.
• Discuss the historical and contemporary impacts on educational contexts for Indigenous people.

TOPIC 5

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy (1989)

• Explore the historical factors that led to the development of the first National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy in 1989.
• Discuss the ongoing impacts of educational policy on the lives of Indigenous peoples and current educational contexts.
• National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy, 1989 - Department of Education, Australian GovernmentLinks to an external site.(Australian Government, 2022).

TOPIC 6

Land Rights and Native Title

• Explore the historical and legal context of Indigenous land rights movements in Australia, specifically Mabo, and discuss the impacts of Native Title recognition.
• Discuss the historical and contemporary impacts on societal and educational contexts for Indigenous peoples.
• Note:This should not read as a biography of Eddie Mabos life. Rather, the focus should be on land rights.

TOPIC 7

The Redfern Speech

• Explore the historical factors which led to the delivery of Paul Keatings 1992 Redfern Speech.
• Discuss the societal impacts of the Redfern Speech and the implications for contemporary educational contexts for Indigenous peoples.

TOPIC 8

The 2008 National Apology to the Stolen Generations

• Explore the historical factors which led to the National Apology to the Stolen Generations issued by the Australian Government in 2008.
• Discuss the societal impact and significance of the Apology and the implications for contemporary education contexts for Indigenous peoples.

TOPIC 9

The Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER) The Intervention

• Explore the historical and contemporary factors that led to the implementation of the Northern Territory Emergency Response.
• Discuss the impacts the Intervention has had on the lives of Indigenous peoples and current educational contexts.

TOPIC 10

The Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration

• Explore the historical factors which led to the development of the 2019 Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration.
• Discuss the impact the Declaration has had on Indigenous peoples and current educational contexts.
• The Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration - Department of Education, Australian GovernmentLinks to an external site.(Australian Government, 2022).

Explore the effects of British colonisation on Indigenous Australians, including the dispossession of land, disconnection from family and culture and the imposition of British systems of living.

Discuss the ongoing societal and educational impacts of colonisation on Indigenous people.

Part B 600 words

Critique the current state of Indigenous education, discussing challenges, successes, and opportunities for improvement.

Consider the following essay writing tips:

Refer to the Essay resources module.

Refer to the assessment rubric to make sure you understand the expectations of the assessment and how it will be marked.

Include a brief introduction, clear paragraphs for each new idea and a concise conclusion.

Draw on the unit readings and resources to support your writing.

Thoroughly proofread and edit your work prior to submission in order to ensure your writing is clear. Your essay should be written in the third person.

Acknowledge all sources used to develop your ideas, both within your essay and in the reference list at the end of your essay. Doing so adds reliability and validity to your writing.

A note about the use of generative AI (GenAI) tools

If you used an AI tool (e.g. ChatGPT) in the completion of this assignment, you must acknowledge it (at the end of your assignment). In the acknowledgement, please explain how you used it, why you used and to what extent you estimate that your final assessment was written by the AI tool. More information on what this acknowledgement should include will be provided in class.

Supporting resources

Review the following links:

Read the weekly materials from the unit, as well as relevant chapters from the set text:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies in the classroomLinks to an external site. (Price & Rogers, 2019).

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy, 1989 - Department of Education, Australian GovernmentLinks to an external site. (Australian Government, 2022).

The Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration - Department of Education, Australian GovernmentLinks to an external site. (Australian Government, 2022).

Essay resources module.

Academic writing and presenting Links to an external site.

Essay writing.

Academic practice. Links to an external site.

Referencing (this includes guidelines on how to cite and reference ACARA

TOPIC 1

The impact of British colonisation on Indigenous Australians

Explore the effects of British colonisation on Indigenous Australians, including the dispossession of land, disconnection from family and culture and the imposition of British systems of living.

Discuss the ongoing societal and educational impacts of colonisation on Indigenous people.

TOPIC 2

The forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families

Examine the historical context, policies and practices that led to the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families and communities.

Discuss the ongoing societal and educational impacts of forced removal on Indigenous people.

TOPIC 3

Protection policies and assimilation

Examine the impact of protection policies and assimilation strategies imposed by the Australian Government on Indigenous Australian peoples.

Discuss the historical and contemporary impacts on societal and educational contexts for Indigenous peoples.

TOPIC 4

Impacts of Missions and Reserves on Indigenous Australian communities

Investigate the historical impacts of Missions and Reserves on the lives of Indigenous Australians, including displacement, loss of traditional practices and disconnection from family and culture.

Discuss the historical and contemporary impacts on educational contexts for Indigenous people.

TOPIC 5

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy (1989)

Explore the historical factors that led to the development of the first National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy in 1989.

Discuss the ongoing impacts of educational policy on the lives of Indigenous peoples and current educational contexts.

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy, 1989 - Department of Education, Australian GovernmentLinks to an external site. (Australian Government, 2022).

TOPIC 6

Land Rights and Native Title

Explore the historical and legal context of Indigenous land rights movements in Australia, specifically Mabo, and discuss the impacts of Native Title recognition.

Discuss the historical and contemporary impacts on societal and educational contexts for Indigenous peoples.

Note: This should not read as a biography of Eddie Mabos life. Rather, the focus should be on land rights.

TOPIC 7

The Redfern Speech

Explore the historical factors which led to the delivery of Paul Keatings 1992 Redfern Speech.

Discuss the societal impacts of the Redfern Speech and the implications for contemporary educational contexts for Indigenous peoples.

TOPIC 8

The 2008 National Apology to the Stolen Generations

Explore the historical factors which led to the National Apology to the Stolen Generations issued by the Australian Government in 2008.

Discuss the societal impact and significance of the Apology and the implications for contemporary education contexts for Indigenous peoples.

TOPIC 9

The Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER) The Intervention

Explore the historical and contemporary factors that led to the implementation of the Northern Territory Emergency Response.

Discuss the impacts the Intervention has had on the lives of Indigenous peoples and current educational contexts.

TOPIC 10

The Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration

Explore the historical factors which led to the development of the 2019 Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration.

Discuss the impact the Declaration has had on Indigenous peoples and current educational contexts.

The Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration - Department of Education, Australian GovernmentLinks to an external site. (Australian Government, 2022).

EDU10005 - Assignment 2 rubric

EDU10005 - Assignment 2 rubric

Criteria Ratings Pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeExploration and examination of the chosen event, policy or practice. (30%)

30 to >23.99 pts

High Distinction

As per Distinction and: Examination demonstrates deep understanding of the of the event, policy or practice. Examination supported by reference to scholarly literature.

23.99 to >20.99 pts

Distinction

As per Credit and: Detailed exploration of the event, policy or practice. Key aspects of the event, policy or practice, including historical, legal and/or political factors, have been clearly identified and explained.

20.99 to >17.99 pts

Credit

As per Pass and: Clear explanation and examination of the event, policy or practice, including consideration of contributing historical factors. Examination supported by reference to literature.

17.99 to >14.99 pts

Pass

Explanation of the event, policy or practice is adequate. Completed key aspects of the requirements but could be more detailed.

14.99 to >0 pts

No Pass

Inadequate explanation of the chosen event, policy or practice.

30 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAnalysis of the historical and contemporary impacts of the event, policy or practice on societal and educational contexts for Indigenous peoples. (30%)

30 to >23.99 pts

High Distinction

As per Distinction and: Critical analysis of the historical and contemporary impacts of the event, policy or practice on societal and educational contexts for Indigenous peoples. Consideration of cultural bias has been included. Analysis supported by effective use of a wide range of literature.

23.99 to >20.99 pts

Distinction

As per Credit and: Detailed analysis of the event, policy or practice and the historical and contemporary impacts on societal and educational contexts for Indigenous peoples. Barriers and/or windows to success have been identified and discussed.

20.99 to >17.99 pts

Credit

As per Pass and: Clear analysis of the event, policy or practice and its impact on societal and educational contexts for Indigenous peoples. Analysis links impacts with examples and is supported by reference to literature.

17.99 to >14.99 pts

Pass

Brief analysis of the historical and contemporary impacts of the event, policy or practice on societal and educational contexts for Indigenous peoples.

14.99 to >0 pts

No Pass

Inadequate analysis of the impacts of the event, policy or practice on Indigenous peoples.

30 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCritique of the current state of Indigenous education, including challenges, successes, and opportunities for improvement.

30 to >23.99 pts

High Distinction

As per Distinction and: Mature and thoughtful critique of the current state of Indigenous education. Challenges, successes and opportunities for improvement have been explored with reference to current approaches to teaching and learning identified.

23.99 to >20.99 pts

Distinction

As per Credit and: Detailed critique of the current state of Indigenous education includes specific examples of challenges, successes, and opportunities for improvement which are supported by reference to literature and/or policy.

20.99 to >17.99 pts

Credit

As per Pass and: Critique of the current state of Indigenous education is supported by clear examples of challenges, successes, and opportunities for improvement.

17.99 to >14.99 pts

Pass

Critique of the current state of Indigenous education, including challenges, successes, and opportunities for improvement is brief with few examples.

14.99 to >0 pts

No Pass

A critique of the current state of Indigenous education, including challenges, successes, and opportunities for improvement has not been included.

30 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeProfessional presentation, referencing and academic expression. (10%)

10 to >7.99 pts

High Distinction

As per Distinction and: Relationships between concepts are clearly explicated and easy to follow. Professional standard for academic expression and APA referencing. Accurate and respectful use of language and terminology is consistently maintained.

7.99 to >6.99 pts

Distinction

As per Credit and: Essay is clear, well structured, and easy to read. Minimal errors in spelling, grammar and APA referencing that do not detract from the overall meaning of the writing. Accurate and respectful use of language and terminology

6.99 to >5.99 pts

Credit

Contains little by way of excess information or repetition and is generally clear in both purpose and execution. Some errors in spelling, grammar and expression, and/or APA referencing. Terminology used is mostly accurate and respectful.

5.99 to >4.99 p