Education Commons^™

Aboriginal Early Childhood Education: Why Attendance And True Engagement Are Equally Important, Jacynta Krakouer

Indigenous Education Research

The Australian government has increasingly recognised the importance of quality early childhood education (ECE) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, as noted in a variety of policy documents such as the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Closing the Gap targets of the Rudd government in 2008, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Action Plan 2010-2014, and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Strategy 2015 (Tye, 2014; Dreise & Thomson, 2014; Education Council, 2015). However, the focus in Aboriginal ECE is still on improving access to, and attendance at ECE centres in Australia rather than highlighting the …

Literature Review Relating To The Current Context And Discourse Surrounding Indigenous Early Childhood Education, School Readiness And Transition Programs To Primary School, Jacynta Krakouer

Indigenous Education Research

Since the educational experiences of Aboriginal Australians are often framed from a ‘deficit’ perspective, whereby the failures of Indigenous people to engage with the mainstream educational system are seen as the ‘problem’, an alternative approach to Indigenous early childhood education discourse is preferable. This alternative approach highlights the strengths that many Aboriginal children possess when commencing school, strengths that may result from Indigenous child-rearing practices. Consequently, this literature review utilises a strengths-based perspective for Aboriginal early childhood education and school readiness, noting that Aboriginal children are frequently expected to adapt to a foreign educational system whereby school expectations differ from …

Literature Review Relating To The Current Context And Discourse On Indigenous Cultural Awareness In The Teaching Space: Critical Pedagogies And Improving Indigenous Learning Outcomes Through Cultural Responsiveness, Jacynta Krakouer

Indigenous Education Research

This literature review seeks to provide an overview of current understandings and discourse about culturally responsive teaching and cultural awareness in education in Australia. Although some of the literature considered within this review is from an international perspective, the purpose of this review is to provide background information regarding culturally responsive teaching with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. This literature review was completed in a short time frame and is by no means exhaustive on the topic of culturally responsive teaching and cultural awareness with Indigenous students. It was completed as part of a contract with the VET Development …

Unfinished Business: Pisa Shows Indigenous Youth Are Being Left Behind, Tony Dreise, Sue Thomson

Indigenous Education Research

The latest international assessment of students’ mathematical, scientific and reading literacy – the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) – shows that the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students has remained the same for the last decade. In short, Indigenous 15-year olds remain approximately two-and-a-half years behind their non-Indigenous peers in schooling.

This essay provides a précis of the results and analysis of some of the issues; it compares Indigenous performance in 2012 with that from previous PISA cycles; and discusses a range of implications for policy and practice.

Evaluation Of The Cape York Aboriginal Australian Academy Initiative : Final Report, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Indigenous Education Research

In October 2012, the Queensland Department of Education Training and Employment (DETE) contracted the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to undertake an evaluation of the Cape York Aboriginal Australian Academy (CYAAA) Initiative. The CYAAA Initiative is designed to improve student outcomes. It is a pilot program operating in primary schools at Coen, Hope Vale and Aurukun. (The trial began in January 2010 in Aurukun and Coen, and in January 2011 in Hope Vale.) The Initiative is part of the Cape York Welfare Reform education stream.

Reconciliation Action Plan, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Indigenous Education Research

ACER’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) was prepared by a Working Group including the Chair of the Advisory Committee on Indigenous Education (ACIE). This document has been endorsed by Reconciliation Australia. The RAP demonstrates ACER’s commitment to the reconciliation process and identifies how ACER intends to contribute to the RAP priorities over the next few years. The focus is on how ACER intends to work to create a culture of respect, to build more effective relationships and to create improved employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Creating An Effective School For Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Students, Gina Milgate, Brian Giles-Browne

Indigenous Education Research

In Australia, the Collegial Snapshot (CSS) process has been a culturally safe, engaging and empowering way for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and their parents and carers to share their insights and ideas about what makes an effective school. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and carers through the Collegial Snapshot Process identified six key variables that make an effective school for their child including the Cultural Environment, Quality of Teachers, Community Engagement, Student Health and Wellbeing, Curriculum and School Leadership. The wealth of data collected from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and parents and carers complemented …

Making A Difference : Improving Outcomes For Indigenous Learners, Michele Lonsdale

Indigenous Education Research

This publication highlights ACER’s contributions to Indigenous Educational research over the past decade. This contribution has included research, policy analysis, program evaluation, professional development, and the development of assessment tools and other resources.

Footprints In Time : Who Am I? And Renfrew Word Finding Vocabulary Test : Report On Wave 2 Data, Sarah Buckley, Catherine Underwood, Nola Purdie

Indigenous Education Research

This report presents the results of administration of the Who Am I? and the Renfrew Word Finding Vocabulary Test for the LSIC Wave 2 data collection in 2009. Who am I? is a developmental assessment that requires the child to write their name, copy shapes, write letters, numbers and words in a small booklet, with simple instructions and encouragement from the interviewer. Who am I? is not language dependent and is suitable for children with limited English. The assessment takes about 10 minutes to complete and is suitable for preschool children and children in the first two years of …

Starting School : A Strengths‐Based Approach Towards Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Children, Stephanie Armstrong, Sarah Buckley, Michele Lonsdale, Gina Milgate, Laura Bennetts Kneebone, Louise Cook, Fiona Skelton

Indigenous Education Research

This paper highlights the need for a strengths-based approach to school readiness for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, in order to recognise the skills, cultural knowledge and understandings they already have when they transition to formal learning. The study, a joint project by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA), reviews the literature and uses a strength-based analysis of information from Footprints in Time: The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC) to examine Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s abilities and knowledge at 4-6 years of age. …

Literature Review Relating To The Current Context And Discourse Of Indigenous Tertiary Education In Australia, Michele Lonsdale, Greta Rollo, Jenny Wilkinson, Ali Radloff, Stephanie Armstrong, Gina Milgate, Jenny Trevitt

Indigenous Education Research

This review outlines some of the themes that have emerged in the growing global discourse of Indigenous education in the higher education sector. The past decade and a half have seen increased numbers of Indigenous students and academic staff in universities, a proliferation of publications exploring Indigenous issues in the academy, and heightened interest in the nature and meaning of Indigenous knowledge and studies.

This review examined information provided by 22 Australian universities to gain a picture of the research fields and topics that are attracting most interest from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates and academics. It also reviewed …

Enhancing Education, Sheldon Rothman, David Slattery, Sarah Buckley, John Ainley

Indigenous Education Research

The ‘Little children are sacred’ report concluded that improving the quality of education provided the key to solving, or at least ameliorating, the incidence of child sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities. The report identified poor educational outcomes as being at the heart of the exclusion of Aboriginal people from confidently participating in either their own culture or mainstream culture.

Two years after the release of the ‘Little children are sacred’ report and after the introduction of the NTER, data were collected on the health and development of all Australian children. Data from the Australian Early Development Index (AEDI) …

Final Report : The Deadly Awards Nomination And Voting System Review And Research Project, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer), Michele Lonsdale

Indigenous Education Research

The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) was commissioned in late 2010 by Vibe Australia to investigate the current nomination and voting system for the Deadly Awards and identify ways in which the current system could be strengthened. The Deadlys are in their 17th year. Beginning as a music award, the categories have expanded over the years to include sport, the arts, community awards and nominations for the Hall of Fame. Given their longevity and the debate that ensued after last year’s awards, it is timely to review the current nomination and voting system. The Deadly Awards are intended to …

Content Fundamentals For A Tv Show Aimed At Indigenous Children Aged 3 To 6: A Literature Review And Discussion Paper, David Norris

Indigenous Education Research

The following literature review was undertaken to establish a foundation for the discussion of potential content (and the issues pertaining to the implementation of that content) for an educational television program aimed at Indigenous children aged 3 to 6. Specifically, the literature was read with an eye to identifying the most effective and relevant learning styles, teaching techniques and subject matters that will successfully engage, support and inform Indigenous children and their families in the transition from home/pre-school to school, and onwards into their early years of schooling.

Using Television To Improve Learning Opportunities For Indigenous Children, Michele Lonsdale

Indigenous Education Research

This report is based on a review of the literature on the importance of early childhood learning, the nature of Indigenous learning needs, and the role of educational television programs in improving learning outcomes for preschool-aged children. The report is intended to provide an evidence base for a proposal to develop an educational television program aimed primarily at Indigenous children from three to six years. (In this report the term ‘Indigenous’ refers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.) There is an extensive body of research that shows the critical importance of early childhood in children’s learning and development, including for …

School Attendance And Retention Of Indigenous Australian Students, Nola Purdie, Sarah Buckley

Indigenous Education Research

Engagement in education is a key factor affecting the life chances of all Australians, and for Indigenous Australians in particular. Higher levels of educational attainment improve employment opportunities, are associated with higher income and promote participation in all societal activities. This paper evaluates the quality of available evidence regarding strategies for improving school attendance, with emphasis on Australian research. It examines the causes and consequences of non-attendance; measures of attendance and retention; examples of existing programs and initiatives; different program approaches, such as sanctions, incentives, and cultural relevance; what constitutes good evidence; what works in attendance and retention programs; and …

Successful Sustainable Literacy Practice For Indigenous Students, Nola Purdie

Indigenous Education Research

The author discusses current approaches to the literacy education of Indigenous students within the context of best practice literacy education for all students. Issues addressed include: Literacy and disadvantaged groups; Literacy programs for Indigenous Australian Students; Teachers and literacy learning; Assessment and measurement of literacy learning; and good literacy curriculum.

Indigenous Languages Programmes In Australian Schools - A Way Forward, Nola Purdie, Tracey Frigo, Clare Ozolins, Geoff Noblett, Nick Thieberger, Janet Sharp

Indigenous Education Research

Currently, over 16,000 Indigenous students and 13,000 non-Indigenous students located in 260 Australian schools are involved in an Indigenous language program. More than 80 different Indigenous languages are taught. This project sought to present practice which would strengthen the quality of Indigenous language programs in schools. The report consists of a literature review, a mapping exercise to document current practices relating to Indigenous languages in Australian schools, an analysis of existing models of teacher preparation, and six case studies of good practice examples.

Leadership In Indigenous Education, Nola Purdie, Jenny Wilkinson

Indigenous Education Research

This brief scoping paper was developed around the theme of ‘What’s happening in Indigenous leadership in education in Australian schools?’ A dual focus for this theme was noted: leadership for Indigenous education; and leadership by Indigenous principals and teachers.

The authors provide an overview of current issues in educational leadership that were derived, in the main, from papers presented at the 2007 ACER conference on educational leadership. Current offerings and opportunities in the area of Indigenous leadership and leadership for Indigenous education include those operating through the Australian Principals Associations Professional Development Council (APAPDC), principally through the Dare to Lead …

Enhancing Employment Opportunities For Indigenous Victorians : A Review Of The Literature, Nola Purdie, Tracey Frigo, Alison Stone, Wendy Dick

Indigenous Education Research

This paper was completed under contract to the State of Victoria through the State Services Authority. It draws on recent Victorian, Australian, and international literature in order to provide an overview of the barriers to, and drivers of successful workforce participation for Indigenous Victorians. Some barriers and drivers are generic, and thus apply to most people; other barriers and drivers are specific to Indigenous Australians; a few barriers and drivers apply specifically to Indigenous Victorians. The disadvantage that accrues from Indigenous unemployment is unrelenting and immense. This disadvantage may well become worse as the Indigenous .baby boom. increasingly reaches working …

Indigenous Students And Literacy And Numeracy: What Does The Research Say?, Nola Purdie, Alison Stone

Indigenous Education Research

Indigenous students typically achieve at significantly lower levels than non-Indigenous students by the time they reach year 3. This article reports on the findings of a longitudinal study conducted by the Australian Council for Educational Research called the Longitudinal English Literacy and Numeracy Survey for Indigenous Students commenced in 2000. The findings show that there are several key underlaying factors present in schools that support growth in achievement for Indigenous students: leadership; good teaching; student attendance and engagement; and Indigenous presence at the school.

Engaging Indigenous Students At School: An Evaluation Of The Deadly Vibe Magazine, Nola Purdie, Louise Ellis, Alison Stone

Indigenous Education Research

Closing the divide between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students is one of the most pressing current educational imperatives. A multifaceted approach is needed to achieve this, given the diversity of educational disadvantage experienced by Indigenous students, and the contexts within which they obtain their education. One innovative approach to overcoming the disparity between Indigenous and non- Indigenous educational outcomes is that developed by Vibe Australia through its publication of the magazine Deadly Vibe. Deadly Vibe is a magazine for Indigenous students that aims to enhance their academic and social outcomes of schooling, including literacy and numeracy learning, self-esteem and self-concept, regular …

Australia's Indigenous Students In Pisa 2000 : Results From An International Study, Lisa De Bortoli, John Cresswell

Indigenous Education Research

In the total PISA sample, the weighted percentage of Indigenous students was 2.4 percent. This figure consisted of 192 students who identified themselves as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent in the main sample. An additional 301 Indigenous students, not selected for the main sample, accepted the offer to participate in PISA. This report is based on the results of this combined group of 493 Indigenous students. The distribution of the sample is representative of the Indigenous population in Australia.

Supporting English Literacy And Numeracy Learning For Indigenous Students In The Early Years, Tracey Frigo, Matthew Corrigan, Isabelle Adams, Paul Hughes, Maria Stephens, Davina Woods

Indigenous Education Research

A longitudinal study conducted by ACER has been monitoring the growth in English literacy and numeracy achievement of a group of 152 Indigenous students in 13 schools through the early years of primary school. Indigenous students' developing English literacy and numeracy skills were assessed at five points over the first three years of school using tasks developed for the ACER Longitudinal Literacy and Numeracy Survey (LLANS). In general, for both the English literacy and for numeracy the achievement of the Indigenous students began at a similar level to that of the main LLANS sample but by the time of the …

Engaging Secondary School Students In Lifelong Learning, Jennifer Bryce, Graeme Withers

Indigenous Education Research

A 'lifelong learning' orientation to education is seen as vital if young people are to thrive in the knowledge rich, constantly changing world of today and the immediate future. This study identifies ways that the foundations for lifelong learning can be built in secondary schools. 'Lifelong learning' is interpreted as engaging people with learning throughout all stages of their lives. Lifelong learning at secondary school level is concerned with keeping students engaged in learning, and developing in those students the characteristics that will make learning an integral and valued part of their lives when they leave school. Thus the report …

Evaluation Of The University Of Canberra Programme For Advanced Literacy Development Scaffolding Literacy Programme With Indigenous Children In School, John Cresswell, Catherine Underwood, Graeme Withers, Isabelle Adams

Indigenous Education Research

This evaluation was created from the records of interviews with the principals and teachers and others involved in the Scaffolding Literacy Programme and is, therefore, a summary document of all the data collected by the three researchers at ACER and the sub-contractor in Western Australia, with an interpretation of the observations in terms of the guidelines set out in the contract.

Messages For Minority Groups In Australia From International Studies, Lisa Greenwood, Tracey Frigo, Paul Hughes

Indigenous Education Research

Results from international studies such as the recent OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) tend to be reported in the media in terms of national averages, with a focus on the ranking of participating countries. However, the disaggregation and analysis of data collected from various social groupings within countries provides an opportunity to investigate the extent to which countries support students from various minority groups to achieve equitable educational outcomes. In Australia, the gap between educational outcomes for Indigenous1 and non-Indigenous students at all levels of education has long been a concern (Long et al, 1999). In recent years, …

The School To Work Transition Of Indigenous Australians: A Review Of The Literature And Statistical Analysis, Michael Long, Tracey Frigo, Margaret Batten

Indigenous Education Research

This report was commissioned by the Task Force on School to Work Transition for Indigenous Australians in the Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs. The Task Force was established to examine issues of access to Departmental programs and services for young Indigenous people moving from school to work and to consider ways in which programs and polices could be enhanced to assist clients in overcoming barriers to education and employment. The report describes the current situation in terms of the pathways for Indigenous young people and their participation in relevant DEETYA programs. The report identifies barriers to successful …