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Full-Text Articles in Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research
Mid-Term Evaluation Report (Final): Global Education Monitoring (Gem) Centre Phase 3, Valerie Haugen
Mid-Term Evaluation Report (Final): Global Education Monitoring (Gem) Centre Phase 3, Valerie Haugen
Monitoring Learning
This report provides findings and recommendations from the external mid-term evaluation of Phase 3 of the Global Education Monitoring (GEM Centre) - a long-term partnership between the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The goal of the GEM Centre is to improve learning, by ensuring that education policies, practices and investments are influenced by high-quality evidence. The aim of the mid-term evaluation was to enable reflection on the long-term partnership through the GEM Centre. The findings highlight the successes and achievements of the GEM Centre over the past decade, …
International Standard Setting Exercise, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)
International Standard Setting Exercise, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)
Monitoring Learning
The GEM Centre provides technical support to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Institute for Statistics (UIS), which has been mandated to monitor the progress of countries towards achieving the education goals of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4). The International Standard Setting Exercise (ISSE) was undertaken to harmonise quantitative data across assessment programs, and to provide substantive information about children’s learning levels and progress benchmarked against international standards. The goal of the ISSE was to place thresholds on empirical reading and mathematics Learning Progression Scales for the Minimum Proficiency Level at the end of lower primary …
Minimum Proficiency Levels Unpacked, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)
Minimum Proficiency Levels Unpacked, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)
Monitoring Learning
This document draws together work from several initiatives to establish Minimum Proficiency Levels (MPLs) for reading and mathematics, for global use in pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goal in Education, SDG 4.1, with a specific focus on indicator 4.1.1. Three educational levels are referred to in this paper as ‘end of lower primary’, ‘end of primary’ and ‘end of lower secondary’. The MPLs are described and elaborated in four ways: nutshell statements; expanded statements; domains, constructs and descriptors; and sample items. A detailed account of the history and evolution of the Minimum Proficiency Levels is provided in Appendix A
Gem Centre: Completion Report For Phase 2 Funding, 2017–2020, Australian Council For Educational Research
Gem Centre: Completion Report For Phase 2 Funding, 2017–2020, Australian Council For Educational Research
Monitoring Learning
In 2014, the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) established a partnership under the Global Education Monitoring Centre. Since then, there have been two funding periods: Phase 1 from 2014–2017 and Phase 2 from 2017–2020. Phase 3 will cover 2020–2023. This report documents the completion of Phase 2 funding and describes the shared priorities of DFAT and ACER through the GEM Centre, followed by the objectives and key outcomes of the work program during this period. The outcomes and lessons learned, together with findings from the GEM Centre mid-term …
The Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics Program, Australian Council For Educational Research
The Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics Program, Australian Council For Educational Research
Assessment GEMS
The Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics Program (SEA-PLM) is a regional assessment of Grade 5 students in six Southeast Asian countries. SEA-PLM was initiated in 2012 by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Association (SEAMEO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The first main cycle of SEA-PLM was implemented in 2019, with future cycles intended. All member countries of SEAMEO can choose to participate in SEA-PLM. The first six participating countries were: Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines and Viet Nam. SEA-PLM measures curricula and cross-curricula knowledge, skills and understanding in the domains of mathematics, reading, writing and global …
Measuring The Impact Of A Girls Education Program In Zambia
Measuring The Impact Of A Girls Education Program In Zambia
International Developments
The Zambian Girls 2030: Realizing My Potential program was initiated in 2016 through a partnership between the Ministry of General Education (MoGE) and UNICEF. The program aims to ensure better educational and employment outcomes for Zambian girls through various educational interventions at the secondary school level. The ACER evaluation will shed light on the results achieved against the targeted objectives and the potential for expansion of the program.
Nepal Shifts To The Testing Of Higher Order Skills
Nepal Shifts To The Testing Of Higher Order Skills
International Developments
An overhaul of the examination system in Nepal focuses on standardisation of exams and assessing higher order thinking skills at the end of basic education.
Improving Learning Outcomes Through Teacher Development
Improving Learning Outcomes Through Teacher Development
International Developments
The Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has commissioned ACER to conduct the Teacher Development Multi-Year Series, a long-term, multi-country study to determine the extent to which Australian investments improve teaching quality and student learning. Countries involved include Timor-Leste, the three-year study focuses on Apoio Lideransa liuhusi Mentoria no Aprendizajen (ALMA) as part of the Australia-Timor-Leste Partnership for Human Development) - previously known as the Professional Learning Program; Lao PDR; and the Vanuatu Education Sector Program (VESP).
Acer And Unicef Partner In Assessment And Evaluation
Acer And Unicef Partner In Assessment And Evaluation
International Developments
In 2020, ACER signed two significant Long-Term Agreements (LTA) with UNICEF. One involves design, implementation and reporting on large-scale national and regional learning assessments in the Asia-Pacific region and the other covers technical assistance in the evaluation of education programs and interventions in countries under UNICEF’s Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) and Regional Office for South Asia (ROSA).
Uncovering Learning Inequities In Southeast Asia
Uncovering Learning Inequities In Southeast Asia
International Developments
Results released from the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEAPLM) 2019 show alarming inequities in learning outcomes for children. While some students are excelling, others are falling far behind and are unlikely to catch up. Without foundational skills in reading, mathematics and writing, these students are likely to be disadvantaged well into their adult lives.
Monitoring Progress Towards The Sdgs, Ursula Schwantner, Juliette F. Mendelovits, Maurice Walker
Monitoring Progress Towards The Sdgs, Ursula Schwantner, Juliette F. Mendelovits, Maurice Walker
International Developments
Measuring where students are at in their learning is critical for determining whether the world is on track to meet Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4. ACER’s contribution to SDG 4 is spearheaded through the work of the GEM Centre, a long-term partnership with the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). At the core of the GEM Centre's contribution is the development of technically sound and internationally comparable learning metrics that enable education stakeholders to align assessment systems with global SDG monitoring and reporting.
International Developments (No.10) 2021
International Developments (No.10) 2021
International Developments
This issue of International Developments summarises the research evidence gathered through the work of the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and the impact of specific projects around the globe.
Timss 2019 Australia. Volume Ii: School And Classroom Contexts For Learning, Sue Thomson, Nicole Wernert, Sarah Buckley, Sima Rodrigues, Elizabeth O'Grady, Marina Schmid
Timss 2019 Australia. Volume Ii: School And Classroom Contexts For Learning, Sue Thomson, Nicole Wernert, Sarah Buckley, Sima Rodrigues, Elizabeth O'Grady, Marina Schmid
TIMSS 2019
This is the second of two reports that look at the results of TIMSS 2019 and Australia’s performance. Volume I focuses specifically on the achievement results, detailing Australia’s results within the international context, and presents results for the Australian jurisdictions, and for the different demographic groups within Australia, including male and female students. This report, Volume II, presents the results from the contextual questionnaires, and examines the contexts in which learning and achievement occur, including home, school, and classroom contexts, as well as student attitudes. Each chapter focuses on different indicators that cover the school community, the school learning environment, …
Timss 2019 Australian Year 4 And Year 8 Data [Sas & Spss], Sue Thomson, Nicole Wernert, Sima Rodrigues, Elizabeth O'Grady
Timss 2019 Australian Year 4 And Year 8 Data [Sas & Spss], Sue Thomson, Nicole Wernert, Sima Rodrigues, Elizabeth O'Grady
TIMSS 2019
This is a data source for the report TIMSS 2019 Australia. Volume I: Student performance. This dataset is available for download as a zipped file https://research.acer.edu.au/context/timss_2019/article/1002/type/native/viewcontent.
Australia: Pisa Australia—Excellence And Equity?, Sue Thomson
Australia: Pisa Australia—Excellence And Equity?, Sue Thomson
OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Australia
Australia’s education system reflects its history of federalism. State and territory governments are responsible for administering education within their jurisdiction and across the sector comprising government (public), Catholic systemic and other independent schooling systems. They collaborate on education policy with the federal government. Over the past two decades the federal government has taken a greater role in funding across the education sector, and as a result of this involvement and the priorities of federal governments of the day, Australia now has one of the highest rates of non-government schooling in the OECD. Funding equity across the sectors has become a …
Timss 2019 Australia. Volume I: Student Performance, Sue Thomson, Nicole Wernert, Sima Rodrigues, Elizabeth O'Grady
Timss 2019 Australia. Volume I: Student Performance, Sue Thomson, Nicole Wernert, Sima Rodrigues, Elizabeth O'Grady
TIMSS 2019
The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is an international comparative study of student achievement directed by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). TIMSS was first conducted in 1995 and the assessment conducted in 2019 formed the seventh cycle, providing 24 years of trends in mathematics and science achievement at Year 4 and Year 8. In Australia, TIMSS is managed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and is jointly funded by the Australian Government and the state and territory governments. The goal of TIMSS is to provide comparative information about educational achievement …
Timss 2019 Australia Highlights, Sue Thomson, Nicole Wernert, Sima Rodrigues, Elizabeth O'Grady
Timss 2019 Australia Highlights, Sue Thomson, Nicole Wernert, Sima Rodrigues, Elizabeth O'Grady
TIMSS 2019
Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is an international sample study that assesses the mathematics and science achievement of Year 4 and Year 8 students every four years. Australia has participated in all cycles of TIMSS since it commenced in 1995 and over this 24-year period has collected rich data about trends in mathematics and science achievement. This document provides the highlights from Volume I of the main report TIMSS 2019 Australia. Volume I: Student performance. Volume I and these Highlights focus on the achievement results, detailing Australia’s results within the international context, as well as the …
Latest From Acer International Offices
Latest From Acer International Offices
International Developments
ACER works through its international offices to deliver a diverse range of results-oriented projects. They are often implemented in partnership with global and local development partners with the goal to advance education outcomes and improve learning.
The Role Of Learning Progressions In Global Scales, Ray Adams
The Role Of Learning Progressions In Global Scales, Ray Adams
International Developments
Learning progressions are valuable tools for the international assessment community. Ray Adams reports.
International Developments (No.9) 2019
International Developments (No.9) 2019
International Developments
In this issue of International Developments, we summarise the research evidence gathered through the work of the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and the impact our projects make around the globe.
Options For Reporting Against 4.1.1 When Using National Assessment Programs, Goran Lazendic
Options For Reporting Against 4.1.1 When Using National Assessment Programs, Goran Lazendic
Assessment and Reporting
The Sustainable Development Goals are 17 broad aspirations for social and economic development set by the United Nations in 2015. One of these goals, enumerated SDG 4, is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. The progress towards each goal is measured by a set of indicators. In monitoring progress towards SDG 4, the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) is working on an approach to measuring indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people: (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving …
Pacific Islands Literacy & Numeracy Assessment 2018 Regional Report, Pacific Community Educational Quality And Assessment Programme
Pacific Islands Literacy & Numeracy Assessment 2018 Regional Report, Pacific Community Educational Quality And Assessment Programme
Assessment and Reporting
The Pacific Islands Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (PILNA) was developed by SPC’s Educational Quality & Assessment Programme (EQAP) to provide a snapshot of how Pacific youth are faring in the skills essential to progress through school and life - reading, writing, numbers, operations, measurements and data. The 2018 assessment is the third to be conducted since 2012, and covers Year 4 and Year 6 students from across 15 Pacific Island countries: Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Findings include growth in both …
Pisa Australia In Focus Number 3: Motivation, Catherine Underwood
Pisa Australia In Focus Number 3: Motivation, Catherine Underwood
OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Australia
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) has collected information about student motivation in each cycle, but the types of motivation focused on has varied over the cycles in line with the major domain (or the main focus) of the assessment for that cycle – reading, mathematical or scientific literacy. The focus of PISA 2015 is on science learning. It collected data about students’ achievement motivation in relation to science learning using their responses to the following five items measured on a four-point Likert scale (strongly agree; agree; disagree; and strongly disagree): I want top grades in most or all …
Implementing Large-Scale Education Assessments, Geoff N. Masters
Implementing Large-Scale Education Assessments, Geoff N. Masters
International Developments
ACER is helping education researchers, policymakers and practitioners understand the issues related to the inception, design, implementation and reporting of large-scale education assessments, as Geoff Masters explains.
Development Of Reporting Scales For Reading And Mathematics: A Report Describing The Process For Building The Uis Reporting Scales, Ross Turner, Ray Adams, Ursula Schwantner, Dan Cloney, Claire Scoular, Prue Anderson, Alexander Daraganov, Jen Jackson, Sandra Knowles, Gayl O'Connor, Pam Munro-Smith, Stavroula Zoumboulis, Pauline Rogers
Development Of Reporting Scales For Reading And Mathematics: A Report Describing The Process For Building The Uis Reporting Scales, Ross Turner, Ray Adams, Ursula Schwantner, Dan Cloney, Claire Scoular, Prue Anderson, Alexander Daraganov, Jen Jackson, Sandra Knowles, Gayl O'Connor, Pam Munro-Smith, Stavroula Zoumboulis, Pauline Rogers
Monitoring Learning
As a technical partner of the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, ACER-GEM has created reporting scales for reading and maths, with the intention of enabling countries to examine and report the outcomes of their assessment activities using a common framework. This report gives the theoretical and contextual background to the scales, and describes the steps in the drafting process.
Learning Assessment: Practitioner Level, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)
Learning Assessment: Practitioner Level, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)
Education Analytics Service
This Practitioner level module is designed to ensure that all staff members who engage with and lead policy dialogue with international and domestic partners are informed about the benefits and risks of participating in learning assessments and the key design and implementation issues. It is recommended that staff complete the Learning Assessment: Foundation level module as background information to this Practitioner level module. Topics covered in this module include the development of learning assessments; the benefits and risks of participating in international or regional assessments; the key design and implementation issues of national assessments; measuring and reporting results; costs; assessment …
Monitoring And Evaluation: Practitioner Level, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)
Monitoring And Evaluation: Practitioner Level, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)
Education Analytics Service
This Practitioner level module is designed to ensure staff members who manage education investments, can understand the concepts and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) practices needed for designing and supervising education investments. It is recommended that staff complete the Monitoring and Evaluation: Foundation level module as background information to this Practitioner level module. Topics covered in this module include: monitoring versus evaluation; monitoring and evaluation standards; monitoring and evaluation in practice; evaluation considerations; education indicators; monitoring and evaluation reporting; and gender and social inclusion considerations.
Monitoring And Evaluation: Foundation Level, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)
Monitoring And Evaluation: Foundation Level, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)
Education Analytics Service
The purpose of this module is to provide introductory information about monitoring and evaluation (M&E), including the purpose, application of M&E frameworks, and key issues in education M&E. It provides a foundation to engage in this topic and apply advice from staff with operational or expert levels of knowledge in education M&E.
Learning Assessment: Foundation Level, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)
Learning Assessment: Foundation Level, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)
Education Analytics Service
The purpose of this module is to provide introductory information about learning assessments – what they are, their purpose, and how the results of learning assessments can influence education policy. It provides a foundation to engage in this topic and apply advice from staff with operational or expert levels of knowledge in education. On successful completion of this module you will gain the ability to apply practical knowledge of learning assessments in order to make valuable contributions to the field.
Monitoring Learning Against The Sustainable Development Goals, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)
Monitoring Learning Against The Sustainable Development Goals, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)
Monitoring Learning
The Global Alliance to Monitor Learning (GAML) is an international collaboration to improve learning around the world, led by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). The Australian Council for Educational Research Centre for Global Education Monitoring (ACER-GEM) has a major role in supporting GAML, as the UIS’s technical partner. This publication outlines ACER’s role in the work plan of the Global Alliance to Monitor Learning.