Putting Gender Up Front “I didn’t want to join the project at first. My principal persuaded me to become involved. I’m really glad that I did because this project has been one of the most worthwhile professional development experiences of my career.” (Year 7 teacher) The project referred to above is one being managed by the Association of Women Educators which promotes the development and implementation of gender inclusive curriculum. This project, Developing Gender Inclusive Curriculum is based upon the premise that within any quality curriculum program gender must be considered up front. In the varied social contexts in which we live gender is a major factor which shapes our social identities. Life choices, expectations, achievements and opportunities are determined in large measure by our gendered identities. Gender should not be seen as an ‘add-on’ or an ‘extra’, but as an essential focus for quality curriculum. Background The teacher quoted above is one of over one hundred and fifty classroom teachers who have been involved in the project, Developing Gender Inclusive Curriculum. Currently work is being conducted to draw together the significant learnings of project teacher involvement in gender education across six of the key learning areas. This work has been funded by the Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs. This federally sponsored project, like many across Australia was part of a three year, National Professional Development Program. Unfortunately, no provision was made in this year's federal budget to continue National Professional Development Program funding. One hundred and fifty teachers involved in the project, Developing Gender Inclusive Curriculum were supported through provision of professional development, the sharing of their effective practice, as well as financial support for resources and teacher relief in order to develop and implement gender inclusive teaching units. (See Appendix 1 for list of those involved). These teachers were supported, and gave valuable feedback to a broad range of our university-based colleagues and Education Departmental personnel. The challenge now is to prepare a publication which captures some of the richness of the work done by project teachers. The work of previous project coordinators, Cheryl Blyth and Helen Parker has been invaluable in the production of this diverse and impressive range of teaching resources. Publication, Gender Up Front Our publication was released in April 1997 and includes teaching materials across six key learning areas, change stories of whole school approaches, as well as annotated bibliographies for key areas for innovative curriculum leaders. The teaching materials include detailed teaching units for English, Mathematics, Studies of Society and Environment, Science, Technology and Health and Physical Education, as well as effective strategies in those areas in order to produce gender equitable outcomes for all students. The change stories reveal key developments within two primary schools and one high school in their management of change and the implementation of quality curriculum, which of its very nature has a gender focus. The publication will also include a brief rationale and annotated bibliography for each of the following key areas: construction of gender, critical literacy, cooperative learning, action research, active and informed citizenship, as well as the National Statements and Profiles. Key learning areas within Gender Up Front 1 Exploration of the gender issues within the key learning area (written by one of our university-based colleagues; see Appendix 3 for an indication of contributors involved). 2 Highlighting of visual or written texts within the key learning area which reflect unequal gender relations. 3 Project teacher material in either detailed teaching units or collections of effective strategies. Teaching units are presented in Gender Up Front using a version of the Social Investigation Strategy, TELSTAR (Queensland Education Department, 1994) which was developed as part of the Social Education Syllabus for Years 8-10. TELSTAR offers a powerful and stimulating structure for teachers and students to learn together in well-defined phases of learning: TUNE IN to the issue or theme being studied EXPLORE students' knowledge, attitudes and questions, as well as the methodology to be adopted LOOK for information SORT the information TEST the information using the hypothesis developed in the explore phase ACT upon the learnings of the unit REFLECT upon the learning of the unit You’ll find more detail about TELSTAR in Gender Up Front, as well as blackline masters for copying. It’s a great way of framing students’ investigations and reflects the Education Department’s Principles of Effective Learning and Teaching (1994) and certainly the Guidelines for Active and Informed Citizenship (1993). Why buy a copy of Gender Up Front? There are many reasons for you to purchase a copy (or several!) of the Association of Women Educators' forthcoming publication, Gender Up Front. Gender issues in each key learning area will be highlighted by our university-based colleagues. Practical strategies and detailed teaching units will give innovative curriculum leaders more ideas for classroom practice. The annotated bibliographies which will lead teachers to further resources. The highlighting of resources which reflect unequal gender relations, as well as those which promote gender equitable outcomes for all students. But perhaps the most important reason for purchasing this resource is to acknowledge that gender has to be put up front. A key avenue for promoting gender equitable outcomes for all students in by embedding a gender focus within the key learning areas. Our publication, Gender Up Front provides support for innovative curriculum leaders to do just that. Jenny Nayler Project Coordinator, Developing Gender Inclusive Curriculum Phone (07) 5492 6088 To place your order To order a copy (or copies) of this publication, either: Fill in the online order form and submit it electronically. We will confirm your application by e-mail and invoice you later. Don’t forget to press SEND when you're finished! Phone the AWE office or e-mail us and an order form will be sent to you. for your copy of Gender Up Front.