Background
The ACSF is based on the National Reporting System (NRS), a mechanism for reporting outcomes of adult English language, literacy and numeracy provision. The NRS was used by Australian English language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) specialists from 1995 until the ACSF was developed and released in 2008.
While the NRS was primarily designed as a reporting tool, the ACSF has been designed as a framework with applications for a range of contexts. For example, it provides benchmarks against which performance can be described in detail in each of the core skills and can also be used to describe the core skills needed in a particular context, such as the workplace, or to map curricula.
As with the NRS, the ACSF:
Satisfies a variety of purposes, and the requirements of a range of users
Reflects and promotes good educational practice
Is fair, valid and reliable, and
Is functional in practice.
The development of the ACSF was informed by input and advice from key stakeholders and experienced adult English LLN practitioners from across Australia, together with the knowledge and experience of the project team, an analysis of current accredited curriculum documents and a broad range of theoretical understandings including:
Theories of adult learning, language, literacy and mathematical development
Theories of task and text complexity
Theories and philosophies about human, psychological and social capital.
In this section