THEY decided on Friday to ask the agency that oversees the curriculum for advice on how to respond to recommendations in a federal government-commissioned review.

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority will get back to ministers when they next meet, likely to be in March. Nevertheless, federal minister Christopher Pyne is understood to be still pushing for any changes to be in place by the 2016 school year. He's pleased the ministerial meeting agreed to consider changes, calling it a "victory for practical, common-sense reform". The curriculum review recommended de-cluttering the teaching agenda, particularly for primary schools.