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Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER)

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Full-Text Articles in Education

Pisa In Brief Australia 2025: Student Performance, Lisa De Bortoli, Catherine Underwood Sep 2026

Pisa In Brief Australia 2025: Student Performance, Lisa De Bortoli, Catherine Underwood

OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Australia

PISA in Brief summarises the key findings from PISA 2025 for Australian students. It compares Australia’s performance with other participating countries and economies, examines trends over time, and highlights differences in achievement across Australian states and territories and key demographic groups. PISA uses 2 main measures to describe student achievement. Mean scores show overall performance, while proficiency levels (ranging from below Level 1 to Level 6) explain the types of knowledge and skills students can typically demonstrate. This report focuses on differences that are statistically significant (in other words, differences that are unlikely to have occurred by chance). The report …


Pisa 2025: A First Look At Student And School Characteristics For Australia, Lisa De Bortoli, Catherine Underwood Sep 2026

Pisa 2025: A First Look At Student And School Characteristics For Australia, Lisa De Bortoli, Catherine Underwood

OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Australia

This report presents a first overview of Australia’s PISA 2025 contextual results. It focuses on selected constructs related to 15-year-old students’ attitudes towards school and their experiences in the classroom and at school, including sense of belonging at school, disciplinary climate in science classes, perseverance, feeling safe at school, enjoyment of science, exposure to bullying, negative school climate, and time spent on digital devices by purpose. It also provides initial insights into equity in education in Australia from an international perspective, and Australian students’ self-reported effort. The report compares Australia’s results with those of other participating countries and economies, as …


Pisa 2025: Reporting Australia's Results. Volume I: Student Performance, Lisa De Bortoli, Catherine Underwood, Jonas Bertling Sep 2026

Pisa 2025: Reporting Australia's Results. Volume I: Student Performance, Lisa De Bortoli, Catherine Underwood, Jonas Bertling

OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Australia

This Volume I report presents Australia’s PISA 2025 results at the international and national level, including results for key student groups. It examines recent trends since PISA 2022 and longer-term trends since reading (2000), mathematics (2003) and science (2006) were first assessed as the focal domains. The results in this report are based on a nationally representative sample of Australian 15-year-old students, stratified using variables of jurisdiction; school sector; geographic location; student sex composition; and a measure of socioeconomic background.


Infographic: Teacher Pedagogical Knowledge, Dominique Russell Sep 2026

Infographic: Teacher Pedagogical Knowledge, Dominique Russell

Teacher infographics

Part of the OECD’s Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2024, the Teacher Knowledge Survey is the first large-scale study providing internationally comparable measures of general pedagogical knowledge (GPK). Findings suggest it may contribute to improving students’ and teachers’ outcomes.


Understanding Primary Level Learner Progression In Scotland: Insights From Scottish Online Formative Assessments (Sofa) Data From The Highland Local Authority, Alexander Towne, Sladana Krstic Aug 2026

Understanding Primary Level Learner Progression In Scotland: Insights From Scottish Online Formative Assessments (Sofa) Data From The Highland Local Authority, Alexander Towne, Sladana Krstic

Assessment and Reporting

This report presents findings from more than 30,000 Scottish Online Formative Assessment (SOFA) assessments completed across one Scottish local authority during the 2024-2025 academic year. It demonstrates how SOFA can be used to monitor learning progression across numeracy, reading and writing, identify attainment gaps between learner groups, and provide detailed diagnostic evidence to support classroom practice, school improvement and local authority panning. Although based on a single local authority, the study illustrates how curriculum-aligned formative assessment can complement national assessment evidence by providing richer insight into learner development.


Infographic: The Lasting Impact Of Teachers, Dominique Russell Aug 2026

Infographic: The Lasting Impact Of Teachers, Dominique Russell

Teacher infographics

A national survey in the UK has looked into the long-lasting effects teachers have beyond the classroom. Adult respondents were asked about the qualities teachers have helped them carry into adult life, and their view of the profession.


Infographic: Student Views On Benefits Of Reading In Their Free Time, Dominique Russell Aug 2026

Infographic: Student Views On Benefits Of Reading In Their Free Time, Dominique Russell

Teacher infographics

New research has found that 36% of children and young people said they enjoyed reading in their free time either ‘very much’ or ‘quite a lot’. Participants were also asked if they agree with various statements about how reading in their free time helps them. We share the results in this infographic.


Infographic: Reasons For Long-Term Student Absence, Dominique Russell Jul 2026

Infographic: Reasons For Long-Term Student Absence, Dominique Russell

Teacher infographics

As a school, understanding the reasons for student absenteeism in your context is key to providing targeted support. Drawing on data from PISA 2022, new OECD research shows school attendance problems are widespread and increasing. In this infographic, we share the reasons students missed 3 or more consecutive months of schooling.


Infographic: Fostering Respectful Debate In Classrooms, Dominique Russell Jul 2026

Infographic: Fostering Respectful Debate In Classrooms, Dominique Russell

Teacher infographics

A survey of teachers in Australia has examined teacher perspectives on the role of teachers and schools in fostering respectful debate and discussion of contemporary issues. Survey topics include teacher confidence in facilitating discussions, and the barriers they face.


Alumni Voices. Beyond Graduation: The Lifelong Global Impact Of A Uk Education, Sladana Krstic, Alexander Towne Jul 2026

Alumni Voices. Beyond Graduation: The Lifelong Global Impact Of A Uk Education, Sladana Krstic, Alexander Towne

Higher education research

The third round of the British Council Alumni Voices survey provides robust and timely evidence of the enduring value of a UK higher education experience. Drawing on three years of longitudinal survey data, supplemented by a number of interviews, the findings highlight how UK education continues to deliver skills, support professional progression, and foster long lasting international networks that extend well beyond graduation and national borders. Nearly three quarters of respondents report that in the last 12 months they have maintained contact with people they first met during their UK studies, and almost 84 percent have recommended a UK study …


Sdg 4.1.1 Minimum Proficiency Levels. Definition And Blueprint For Assessment, Prue Anderson, Andrew Mannion, Ursula Schwantner, Maurice Walker, Colin Watson, Toby Simmer Jul 2026

Sdg 4.1.1 Minimum Proficiency Levels. Definition And Blueprint For Assessment, Prue Anderson, Andrew Mannion, Ursula Schwantner, Maurice Walker, Colin Watson, Toby Simmer

Global education monitoring

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 aims to ensure that, by 2030, “all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.” The primary indicator 4.1.1 concerns the proficiency of girls and boys in two learning areas (reading and mathematics) at three stages of education: at the end of lower primary, at the end of primary, and at the end of lower secondary. Large-scale learning assessments are essential tools to capture data on learning outcomes and to provide system-level evidence on education quality and equity. In the context of SDG 4, …


Infographic: Top Ebook Genres Across K-12 In Australia, Dominique Russell Jun 2026

Infographic: Top Ebook Genres Across K-12 In Australia, Dominique Russell

Teacher infographics

A new report has revealed the most popular ebook genres for K-12 students. The results were calculated by analysing 2025 data from all schools serving students in K-12 across Australia that use the Sora student reading app. Here, we share the most popular genres by state and territory.


Infographic: My 14th Teacher Alphabet, Dominique Russell Jun 2026

Infographic: My 14th Teacher Alphabet, Dominique Russell

Teacher infographics

What do you need information on? Artificial intelligence? Transitions? Seating designs? The 14th Teacher alphabet brings you quick links to popular content that you might find useful. Download the PDF for a hyperlinked version so you can access the content for each letter.


Submission To The Parliamentary Inquiry Into Educational Attainment, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer) Jun 2026

Submission To The Parliamentary Inquiry Into Educational Attainment, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Shaping educational policy

The 2026 Australian House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education Inquiry into the factors driving educational attainment considered the factors that drive variations in educational attainment including between and among boys and girls, from early learning, through school education, (including vocational education and training (VET) in schools), to tertiary education. It sought to identify the factors driving differential engagement, participation, and outcomes at all levels and transitions from lower to senior secondary school; from school to tertiary education; and from education into the workforce and broader society. The Australian Council for Educational Research's submission draws on evidence from four major …


Infographic: How Schools Can Help With Student Worries, Dominique Russell May 2026

Infographic: How Schools Can Help With Student Worries, Dominique Russell

Teacher infographics

A 2025 survey of 400 school students across Australia in years 7-12 focused on the topic of wellbeing. This infographic shares some of the results related to students’ biggest worries and the top 10 areas where they believe that schools could help them.


Infographic: What You Love About Secondary School Teaching, Dominique Russell May 2026

Infographic: What You Love About Secondary School Teaching, Dominique Russell

Teacher infographics

What do you love about teaching? In our annual reader survey, we ask you what you love about your role. Here, we share some responses we received from secondary school teachers.


Infographic: School Uniforms As A Barrier To Physical Activity, Dominique Russell May 2026

Infographic: School Uniforms As A Barrier To Physical Activity, Dominique Russell

Teacher infographics

Researchers from Ireland surveyed students to examine their views on the extent to which uniforms are a barrier to physical activity and physical education participation. Findings show over half see uniforms as a barrier and many had suggestions for how the uniform experience could be improved.


National Assessment Program – Ict Literacy 2025. Technical Report., Kate O'Malley, Steven Kambouris, Dulce Lay, Amira Mahmood, Frances Eveleigh, Jorge Fallas May 2026

National Assessment Program – Ict Literacy 2025. Technical Report., Kate O'Malley, Steven Kambouris, Dulce Lay, Amira Mahmood, Frances Eveleigh, Jorge Fallas

ICT - Digital Literacy

The primary purpose of the NAP–ICT Literacy 2025 technical report is to detail the technical aspects of the assessment. It outlines the key activities undertaken in the design, sampling, data collection, analysis, and reporting phases of the national sample assessment. The 2025 cycle marks the seventh national assessment of ICT literacy. Notably, the 2025 assessment was administered in May, a shift of 5 months from previous cycles, which were held in October. For this reason, changes in achievement between 2025 and previous cycles of the NAP–ICT Literacy assessment should be interpreted with some caution. The NAP–ICT Literacy 2025 assessment was …


National Assessment Program – Ict Literacy 2025. Public Report, Tim Friedman, Kate O'Malley, Frances Eveleigh, Wolfram Schulz May 2026

National Assessment Program – Ict Literacy 2025. Public Report, Tim Friedman, Kate O'Malley, Frances Eveleigh, Wolfram Schulz

ICT - Digital Literacy

This report presents the findings from the seventh National Assessment Program – Information and Communication Technology Literacy (NAP–ICT Literacy) assessment cycle. The assessment was conducted in May 2025 with representative samples of Year 6 and Year 10 students across Australia. The report includes comparisons, where appropriate, with findings from previous NAP–ICT Literacy assessment cycles. NAP–ICT Literacy assesses students’ ability to use ICT and digital tools appropriately, safely and effectively across a range of real-world contexts. The assessment evaluates a broad range of skills, including: accessing, managing and evaluating information, developing new understandings, applying computational, design and systems thinking, communicating and …


Equity And Participation In Careers Education: Insights From Australian Year 10 Students, Kylie Hillman, Ben Edwards, Daniel Edwards, Ali Radloff, Jessica Arnup Apr 2026

Equity And Participation In Careers Education: Insights From Australian Year 10 Students, Kylie Hillman, Ben Edwards, Daniel Edwards, Ali Radloff, Jessica Arnup

Vocational, adult and professional education research

Navigating pathways into education, training, and the workforce has always been challenging for young people. With the growing complexity of the world of work and varied post-secondary education pathways, providing support and guidance is crucial. In Australia, national policies such as the Australian Blueprint for Career Development, National Career Development Strategy, and the National Career Education Strategy aim to support young people's career readiness. Despite the acknowledged importance of careers education, there is limited national reporting on its current state in Australian secondary schools. This article explores the experiences of over 15,000 Year 10 students in Australian schools, using data …


Infographic: School-Provided Lunches, Dominique Russell Apr 2026

Infographic: School-Provided Lunches, Dominique Russell

Teacher infographics

A survey of almost 400 parents has assessed their interest and preferences in a school-provided meal offering for Australian primary schools. Respondents were asked about cost, nutrition and quality, environmental sustainability, access, menu options, and the school approach to food. Here are some of the findings.


Infographic: Schools In 2025 – Student Enrolment And Retention, Dominique Russell Apr 2026

Infographic: Schools In 2025 – Student Enrolment And Retention, Dominique Russell

Teacher infographics

The Australian Bureau of Statistics release data on schools and students in Australia each year. The latest data for 2025 show increases in student enrolment and retention. Find out more in this infographic.


Pillar 1: Strengthening Monitoring And Evaluation Capacity For Foundational Learning Outcomes. Final Report, Debbie Wong, Hilary Hollingsworth, Payal Goundar, Agnes Bersee, Psyche Kennett Apr 2026

Pillar 1: Strengthening Monitoring And Evaluation Capacity For Foundational Learning Outcomes. Final Report, Debbie Wong, Hilary Hollingsworth, Payal Goundar, Agnes Bersee, Psyche Kennett

International Education Research

This report presents key insights from the Pillar 1 pilot project in Cambodia from evidence collected on classroom practice and materials used in Grade 2 Khmer language classes, and lexical computing analysis of the highest frequency words in Khmer suitable for children. Findings from this research provides the evidence for refining Cambodia’s Early Grade Learning package. ‘Strengthening monitoring and evaluation capacity for foundational learning outcomes’ was designed to monitor and evaluate time on and quality of teaching core literacy skills in Primary Grade 2 in Cambodia, enable clearer alignment between content (what is taught) and process (how it is taught), …


System-Level Drivers For The Adoption Of Evidence-Based Practices In Schools, Marijne Medhurst, Jen Jackson, Pru Mitchell, Romany Manuell Mar 2026

System-Level Drivers For The Adoption Of Evidence-Based Practices In Schools, Marijne Medhurst, Jen Jackson, Pru Mitchell, Romany Manuell

School and system improvement

This report outlines strategies that education system leaders can use to support the adoption of evidence-based teaching practices within schools, recognising the importance of teaching quality to lift student outcomes. It is based on an adapted systematic review of available evidence conducted by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) for and in collaboration with the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO). The report begins by identifying considerations or approaches that system leaders can apply to selecting strategies to support schools, to ensure that they are culturally reflexive, aware of contextual enablers and barriers, and aligned with the approaches evident in …


Infographic: What Do You Love About Teaching?, Dominique Russell Mar 2026

Infographic: What Do You Love About Teaching?, Dominique Russell

Teacher infographics

What do you love about being a teacher? Our annual reader survey includes an invitation for you to share what you love about your role in education. In this infographic, we share some of the latest responses received from classroom teachers.


Submission To The Decadal Plan For Australian Education Research Consultation Paper, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer) Mar 2026

Submission To The Decadal Plan For Australian Education Research Consultation Paper, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Shaping educational policy

This submission to the Decadal Plan for Australian Education Research Consultation Paper recognises a critical role for education research is to equip educators, leaders and systems with robust information, tools and practices to confidently inform decision-making about teaching, learning, and leadership. The submission highglights the importance of First Nations-led research, and an inclusion mindset for education research and AI as a tool for learning as key to justice, quality and equity for all. ACER understands that the field of education is highly interconnected and draws on evidence from multiple disciplines; it follows that collaboration in education research is the key …


Infographic: Student Views On School And Their Future, Dominique Russell Feb 2026

Infographic: Student Views On School And Their Future, Dominique Russell

Teacher infographics

Each year Mission Australia’s Youth Survey asks teenagers about their views and experiences – providing a snapshot of the challenges they face and hopes for the future. For the first time, respondents included younger students (14-year-olds) and new questions on their feelings about school. This infographic shares some of the findings.


First Nations Education Policy: Joint Response, Ninti One, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer) Feb 2026

First Nations Education Policy: Joint Response, Ninti One, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Shaping educational policy

This is a joint submission made by Ninti One Limited and the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to the development of the new First Nations Education Policy. The submission is grounded in a significant body of evidence derived from recent collaborative work, including the First Nations Teacher Strategy (FNTS), the Closing the Gap Schools Initiatives evaluation, and the VET Workforce Study. Insights are drawn directly from the lived experiences of First Nations students, educators, families, and communities with whom we work across our collective and independent projects. The paper presents recommendations across four interconnected focus areas to strengthen educational …


Performance Comparison Between Ib And Non-Ib Students On The International Schools’ Assessment: Applying Hierarchical Linear Modelling To The 2023 And 2024 Data, Liang-Cheng Zhang Feb 2026

Performance Comparison Between Ib And Non-Ib Students On The International Schools’ Assessment: Applying Hierarchical Linear Modelling To The 2023 And 2024 Data, Liang-Cheng Zhang

Monitoring Learning

This report compares the academic performance of International Baccalaureate (IB) students in the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP) with that of students in other accredited international schools, using data from the International Schools’ Assessment (ISA). The ISA is designed for students in international schools from grades 3 to 10 and evaluates proficiency in five domains: Mathematical Literacy, Reading, Scientific Literacy, Narrative Writing and Expository Writing. In addition, ISA scales for Mathematical Literacy, Reading and Scientific Literacy are based on the internationally recognized frameworks used in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Programme for International …


Infographic: Topics You’D Like Support With In 2026, Dominique Russell Jan 2026

Infographic: Topics You’D Like Support With In 2026, Dominique Russell

Teacher infographics

In our latest reader survey, we asked you what you want support on in 2026. You gave us plenty of suggestions, and they will inform our content planning this year. This infographic presents the most popular topic requests we received – the bigger the font, the more popular the request!