Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons^™

Schooling The Yuk/Wow Generation, Erica Mcwilliam

APC Monographs

Working as I do in a university setting, when I talk to school teachers and school leaders I feel like I have come home. Teachers have seen wave after wave of ideas come through. Haven’t we all. We’ve watched them arrive, and we’ve seen the initial excitement that comes with them. We maintain our passion for teaching, even though we have seen the failure of many of these ideas over time. We are sceptical, and we do not indulge in mindless optimism. I like good teachers’ ‘nonstupid optimism’ and I like working in context, where that is possible. Mind you, …

Acer 2004-2005 Annual Report, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

ACER Annual Reports

No abstract provided.

Acer 1980-2004 Annual Report Index, Margaret Findlay

ACER Annual Reports

No abstract provided.

In Teachers' Hands: Effective Literacy Teaching Practices In The Early Years Of Schooling, William Louden, Mary Rohl, Caroline Barratt Pugh, Claire Brown, Trevor Cairney, Jess Elderfield, Helen House, Marion Meiers, Judith Rivalland, Ken Rowe

Monitoring Learning

This project investigated the link between children’s growth in English literacy in the early years of schooling and their teachers’ classroom teaching practices. Using the LLANS literacy assessment tasks, 2000 children from every state and territory were assessed at the beginning and end of their first or second year at school. The teaching practices used by teachers whose students made most progress were explored. The effective teachers used a wide repertoire and demonstrated key teaching practices with greater consistency, skill and subtlety.

Good Data, Bad News, Good Policy Making ..., Gabrielle Matters

2005 - Using data to support learning

The New Basics Trial in Queensland (2000 –04) was about improving educational outcomes. At its heart was the idea that, to do this, there must be an orchestration of the message systems of curriculum, teaching and assessment – and that these changes must be in practices, not merely in statements of intention or expectation. This paper spans the trial period (2000 –04) and the immediate post-trial period (2005), showing how research evidence informed policy-making. The New Basics approach (which introduced three suites of Rich Tasks covering three 3-year spans from Year 1 to Year 9) to curriculum, teaching, assessment, reporting, …

What Do We Know About The Experiences Of Australian Youth? An Easy Reference Guide To Longitudinal Surveys Of Australian Youth Research Reports, 1996–2003, Robyn Penman

LSAY Research Reports

This reference guide is not simply a summary of each report – rather the findings from 36 reports have been summarised thematically to show what we know about the experiences of Australian youth as they move through education and training into the labour market and adult life. The bracketed notations in the right hand margin indicate the report number and the relevant page(s) on which each piece of information is based and where further information can be found.

The Importance Of Teaching: Ensuring Better Schooling By Building Teacher Capacities That Maximize The Quality Of Teaching And Learning Provision – Implications Of Findings From The International And Australian Evidence-Based Research, Ken Rowe

Student learning processes

Given the level of consensus regarding the importance of school education as an essential element of micro- and macro economic reform, policy issues surrounding school and teacher effectiveness are of particular importance. However, much of the traditional and prevailing dogmas surrounding ‘factors’ affecting students’ experiences and outcomes of schooling throughout their primary and secondary years, especially socio-cultural and socio-economic factors, are now understood to be products of methodological and statistical artifact, and amount to little more than ‘religious’ adherence to the moribund ideologies of biological and social determinism. Above all, a good deal of this ‘discourse’ is not supported by …

Teacher Education Courses In Victoria: Perceptions Of Their Effectiveness And Factors Affecting Their Impact, Lawrence Ingvarson, Adrian Beavis, Elizabeth Kleinhenz

Initial Teacher education

Investment in teacher education is a major strategy to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in our schools. Agencies, such as the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT), with responsibility for the accreditation of teacher education, can use feedback about the effectiveness of different modes of teacher preparation to support providers. It is vital that data for this purpose be valid and reliable. The Future Teachers Project (FTP) was designed to collect such data. It was designed to address two major questions: What are the perceptions of stakeholders (beginning teachers and their employers) about the effectiveness of current teacher education …

Location, Location, Location : Implications Of Geographic Situation On Australian Student Performance In Pisa 2000, John Cresswell, Catherine Underwood

ACER Research Monographs

The primary focus of this report is to examine the effect that geographical location may have on the performance of students from schools from all parts of Australia who participated in the OECD/Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA 2000). Approximately 5477 students from 231 school across Australia encompassing schools in Major Cities, Inner Regional areas, Outer Regional areas, Remote areas and Very Remote areas participated. Results for Australian schools located in Major Cities and Inner Regional areas were above the OECD average in reading literacy. Outer Regional areas and Remote/Very Remote areas were at or below the OECD average.

Post-School Plans : Aspirations, Expectations And Implementation : A Report Prepared For The Smith Family, Adrian Beavis, Martin Murphy, Jennifer Bryce, Matthew Corrigan

Vocational, adult and professional education research

This report highlights the important role of vocational education and training such as TAFE as an alternative for students with no plans to study at university. The report was based on the surveys of almost 19,000 teenagers. The study suggests that the most important factors for predicting post-school plans are gender, ability and the vocational orientation of the student. Students appear to have a good understanding of all these factors and plan their post-school destinations accordingly.

Analysing And Reporting Performance Indicator Data: ‘Caress’ The Data And User Beware!, Ken Rowe

Student learning processes

Within the context of a growing international movement toward the adoption of ‘outcomes-based’ modes of public sector service provision, policy, governance and accountability, this paper focuses on the context, nature and purpose of performance indicators (PIs), and in particular on the analysis and reporting of data derived from them as bases for informing policy. Presented and discussed are key issues related to: • The nature, purpose, types and sources of PIs; • essential features of useful indicators; • the ‘dangers’ of analysing, interpreting and reporting aggregated data, and • effective methodologies for the responsible analysis and reporting of PI data. …

The Seeker, Sivakumar Alagumalai Ed., Murray Thompson Ed., James Anthony Gibbons Ed., Andrew Dutney Ed.

Shannon Research Press

This book is dedicated to acknowledge and honour the work Prof John P Keeves. A seeker of knowledge, John is exemplary in highlighting the nexus between instruction, learning and research. John’s diversity of learning experiences and contributions to students, colleagues and the broader community are highlighted through the broad range of articles in the book.

PART 1 FROM SCHOOL TO UNIVERSITY

• Chapter 1 Observations from a Family Perspective by John S. Keeves & Wendy Keech
• Chapter 2 Student Days at PAC by Ren Potts
• Chapter 3 Prince Alfred College 1934-1977 by Murray Thompson & Alan Dennis
• Chapter 4 John’s Reflection …

Supporting Student Wellbeing : What Does The Research Tell Us About The Social And Emotional Development Of Young People? (Conference Proceedings), Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

2004 - Supporting Student Wellbeing: what does the research tell us about social and emotional development of young people?

More than 500 researchers, policy makers and teachers from a broad range of educational contexts from Australia and overseas met Adelaide on 25 and 26 October 2004 to examine effective ways of supporting student wellbeing at ACER's Research Conference 2004.

Evaluation Of School-Based Arts Education Programmes In Australian Schools, Jennifer Bryce, Juliette Mendelovits, Adrian Beavis, Joy Mcqueen, Isabelle Adams

Program monitoring and evaluation

This report presents evaluations of four Australian school-based arts programmes: Arts@Direk (SA), Boys’ Business (NT), Indigenous Music Education Programme (NT), and SCRAYP – Youth Arts with an Edge (Vic). Arts@Direk and SCRAYP provided a focus on drama, while Boys’ Business and Indigenous Music Education Programme (IMEP) concentrated on music. There was a range of ages from Year 4 to Year 10 and a diverse range of backgrounds amongst the participating students. The study investigated the impact of each arts programme on students’ academic progress, engagement with learning and school attendance. It also considered which attributes of arts programmes were of …

'Literacy Behaviour' And Auditory Processing : Building 'Fences' At The Top Of The 'Cliff' In Preference To Ambulance Services At The Bottom, Kathy Rowe, Ken Rowe, Jan Pollard

2004 - Supporting Student Wellbeing: what does the research tell us about social and emotional development of young people?

Children who are inattentive or disruptive are at high risk of poor achievement progress, especially in literacy. Approximately nine percent of school children have both literacy and externalising behaviour problems, and the long term consequences of these are costly emotionally, socially, educationally and economically. Many of these children are referred to paediatricians and psychologists to assess whether learning difficulties or attention deficits are contributing factors to their behaviour problems at school. Similarly, many are referred to audiologists to test hearing in the event that their observed difficulties in listening and following instructions may be due to hearing impairment. However, following …

On Reflection, James Anthony Gibbons

Shannon Research Press

This book commences with a criticism of constructivism as the basis for curriculum design followed by an attempt to argue an alternative. It is possible to proceed to criticise constructivism as the basis for curriculum design by illustrating the issues with references to extracts from curricula used by various countries and Departments of Education. This book takes a different route. The assumption is made that criticism will be clearer if related to a substantial part of a curriculum rather than extracts from a variety of curricula from a variety of countries. The focus is on the recently developed, and currently …

A School System Perspective On Strengthening Student Wellbeing, Peter Hamilton

2004 - Supporting Student Wellbeing: what does the research tell us about social and emotional development of young people?

In the best tradition of education bureaucracies my title has changed since the conference program was printed! I now head up a new Directorate within the Western Australian Department of Education and Training called Student Behaviour and Wellbeing. The establishment of this new Directorate is symbolic of the profile the Department is giving to issues of student behaviour and wellbeing. It’s a sign of the times. The perspective I will be presenting this afternoon is that of a senior bureaucrat in a state system with all the messiness and the rough and tumble and the daily crises that characterize life …

Pre-Service Teacher Education In Australia : A Mapping Study Of Selection Processes, Course Structure And Content, And Accreditation Processes, Lawrence Ingvarson, Adrian Beavis, Elizabeth Kleinhenz, Alison Elliott

Initial Teacher education

The main purpose of this study was to conduct a survey of Australian institutions that provide pre-service teacher education courses for primary and secondary teachers. The key elements of this mapping exercise included: Selection processes: The criteria and processes that teacher education institutions use to select students for courses. Course structure and content: The types of course content and structure that exist currently, including key components such as arrangements for the practicum and for ICT. Accreditation processes: The processes currently used, both internally and externally, for the accreditation and evaluation of teacher education courses. The survey instrument was sent to …

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 …

Acer 2003-2004 Annual Report, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

ACER Annual Reports

No abstract provided.

Facing The Future: A Focus On Mathematical Literacy Among Australian 15-Year-Old Students In Pisa 2003, Sue Thomson, John Cresswell, Lisa De Bortoli

OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Australia

No abstract provided.

Initiatives To Address Teacher Shortage, Michele Lonsdale, Lawrence Ingvarson

Teacher workforce and careers

This paper is in response to an invitation from the Victorian Department of Education and Training to undertake a targeted review of effective teaching recruitment strategies. The paper provides a ‘snapshot’ of what is happening in other States and Territories and in selected countries overseas. The review is based mainly on information supplied by a small group of stakeholders (See Appendix 1) and derived from relevant printed and online resources. The main focus of the review is on the kinds of strategies that different educational jurisdictions have used to overcome teacher supply problems. The original intention of the review was …

Building A Learning Profession, Lawrence Ingvarson

Professional learning for teachers and school leaders

This paper is presented in two main sections: an overview of contemporary research on effective professional learning for practising educators, and recommendations for action to promote effective learning for practicing educators. It argues that we need to build capacity for learning, not only at teacher, school and system levels, but also at the level of the profession. Evidence is provided that the profession is ready and able to undertake this task. Policies are needed that will support the profession in building a national framework for continuing learning, from registration to advanced certification, guided by professional standards and assessments, and supported …

Teaching Mathematics In Seven Countries : Results From The Timss 1999 Video Study., James Hiebert, Ronald Gallimore, Helen Garnier, Karen Bogard Givvin, Hilary Hollingsworth, Jennifer Jacobs, Angel Miu-Ying Chui, Diana Wearne, Margaret Smith, Nicole Kersting, Alfred Manaster, Ellen Tseng, Wallace Etterbeek, Carl Manaster, Patrick Gonzales, James Stigler

TIMSS 1999

The Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 1999 Video Study sampled eighth grade mathematics lessons in seven countries including Australia. As well as describing teaching in these countries the study aimed to : develop objective, observational measures of classroom instruction to serve as appropriate quantitative indicators of teaching practices in each country; compare teaching practices among countries and identify similar or different lesson features across countries; describe patterns of teaching within each country; and develop methods for communicating the results of the study, through written reports and video cases, for both research and professional development purposes. The results in …

The Apc Summer Institute, 2003 : A Two-Day Workshop With Professor Paul Bredeson, Paul Bredeson

APC Monographs

A shift is taking place, away from the idea of 'professional development' and towards a concept of 'professional learning'. This paper has been prepared in that context, looking at the intersection between professional learning and work, and taking into account the capacity of participants to engage with the acquisition of knowledge for personal growth and to meet the needs of their institutions. It addresses a number of themes including: professional development as part of leadership; learning, leadership and work; and the exploration of professional learning using the metaphor of architecture.

Learning Centered Leadership : The Only Way To Go, Geoff Southworth

APC Monographs

Three themes are the focus of this paper: change, leadership and learning organisations (in particular, learning schools). The author offers a synthesis of these three themes, so that each is considered in relation to the others, rather than as a discrete entity.

Building Teacher Quality (Conference Proceedings), Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

2003 - Building Teacher Quality: What does the research tell us?

Research Conference 2003 brings together key researchers, policy makers and practitioners from a broad range of educational contexts from around Australia and overseas. The conference aims to enhance understanding of the significance of building teacher quality and strengthening the provision of learning opportunities for students, and identifying ways in which this work can best be informed by research. The conference will provide a ‘state-of-the-art’ review of: • research on improving teacher education, teacher quality and recruitment; • evidence of the effects of initial teacher education, induction and teacher professional development on teacher quality; • the major directions in which Australian …

The Importance Of Teacher Quality As A Key Determinant Of Students’ Experiences And Outcomes Of Schooling, Ken Rowe

2003 - Building Teacher Quality: What does the research tell us?

Much of the traditional and prevailing dogmas surrounding factors affecting students' experiences and outcomes of schooling throughout their primary and secondary years - especially socio-cultural and socio-economic factors - are now understood to be products of methodological and statistical artefact, and amount to little more than religious adherence to the moribund ideologies of biological and social determinism. In this paper, key findings are presented highlighting real effects from recent and emerging local and international research on educational effectiveness. For example, whereas students' literacy skills, general academic achievements, attitudes, behaviours and experiences of schooling are influenced by the background and intake …

Quality Of Professional Learning Index: Measure Of Outcomes Of Professional Development, Lawrence C. Ingvarson

Professional learning for teachers and school leaders

No abstract provided.

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 …