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Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER)

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Articles 31 - 60 of 1793

Full-Text Articles in Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research

Learning From Evidence: Assessing Progress And Impact. Proceeding Of The 2024 International Conference On Assessment And Learning, Biyan Iskandar Jun 2025

Learning From Evidence: Assessing Progress And Impact. Proceeding Of The 2024 International Conference On Assessment And Learning, Biyan Iskandar

International Conference on Assessment and Learning (ICAL)

No abstract provided.

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Timss 2023 Australia. Volume Ii: Student And School Characteristics, Nicole Wernert, Sima Rodrigues, Marina Schmid, Catherine Underwood Jun 2025

Timss 2023 Australia. Volume Ii: Student And School Characteristics, Nicole Wernert, Sima Rodrigues, Marina Schmid, Catherine Underwood

TIMSS 2023

This is the second of 2 reports that look at the results of TIMSS 2023 and Australia’s performance. This report, Volume II, presents the results from the contextual questionnaires, and examines the home, school, and classroom contexts in which learning and achievement occur, as well as student attitudes. Each chapter focuses on different indicators concerning the school community; the school learning environment; mathematics and science teacher characteristics; mathematics and science classroom learning environments; and, students’ attitudes and beliefs and use of technology. Together, the different indicators of student and school life illustrate some of the many key aspects that make …

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Talis Teacher Knowledge Survey 2024 Conceptual And Assessment Framework, Jonathan Heard, Pina Tarricone Jun 2025

Talis Teacher Knowledge Survey 2024 Conceptual And Assessment Framework, Jonathan Heard, Pina Tarricone

OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS)

The Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) is the world’s largest international survey of teachers and principals. In 2024, TALIS added the Teacher Knowledge Survey (TKS), a special module to investigate teachers’ general pedagogical knowledge (GPK). GPK is the specialised knowledge of teachers for creating effective teaching and learning environments for all students, independent of subject matter; it is part of the specialised body of knowledge that makes teaching a knowledge profession. The TKS conceptual and assessment framework underpins the survey, describes its contents and explains its importance. Key themes in the framework include teaching diverse learners, using technology for …

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Student Disengagement In Years 7 To 9 In Victoria: A Review Of Recent Evidence, Fabienne Van Der Kleij, Suijing Yang, Romany Manuell Jun 2025

Student Disengagement In Years 7 To 9 In Victoria: A Review Of Recent Evidence, Fabienne Van Der Kleij, Suijing Yang, Romany Manuell

Student learning processes

The research reported here was conducted as part of the Reclaiming the Lost Years project, which aims to raise awareness of the need for structural reform in Years 7 to 9 schooling in Victoria, Australia. As an initial research paper within the project, this review adopted a rapid review methodology to review relevant literature and broader evidence about student disengagement in Years 7 to 9 in Victoria. Findings can inform the project’s advocacy for reform and key policy recommendations by defining and measuring student engagement and disengagement, and analysing evidence about rates of student disengagement in Victoria.

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Critical Thinking: Skill Development Framework. 2nd Edition, Jonathan Heard, Claire Scoular, Daniel Duckworth, Dara Ramalingam, Ian Teo Jun 2025

Critical Thinking: Skill Development Framework. 2nd Edition, Jonathan Heard, Claire Scoular, Daniel Duckworth, Dara Ramalingam, Ian Teo

Assessment and Reporting

The ACER critical thinking framework addresses the challenges associated with teaching and assessing critical thinking. It synthesises and harmonises existing theory and research on critical thinking to provide a holistic perspective from which teachers can operationalise critical thinking in the classroom. The framework outlines critical thinking processes in three strands: Constructing knowledge; Evaluating ideas; and Making decisions.

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Creative Thinking: Skill Development Framework. 2nd Edition, Jonathan Heard, Dara Ramalingam, Claire Scoular, Prue Anderson, Daniel Duckworth Jun 2025

Creative Thinking: Skill Development Framework. 2nd Edition, Jonathan Heard, Dara Ramalingam, Claire Scoular, Prue Anderson, Daniel Duckworth

Assessment and Reporting

The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) has reviewed the extensive literature on creative thinking and developed both a definition and a framework that synthesises and harmonises existing theory and research on creative thinking. This framework has been developed to address the challenges associated with teaching and assessing creative thinking. It outlines creative thinking processes along prescribed strands and aspects informed by a sound evidentiary basis. The aspects contained within the framework are designed to provide foci for teaching and the basis of assessment. ACER’s creative thinking framework identifies key factors that underpin the development of creative thinking with a …

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Reality Now: Tobacco And Vaping Report, Tamara Van Der Zant, Terese Hooper, Katherine Dix, Toby Carslake May 2025

Reality Now: Tobacco And Vaping Report, Tamara Van Der Zant, Terese Hooper, Katherine Dix, Toby Carslake

Wellbeing

This report presents findings from data collected through the Reality Now program, providing a long-term study exploring tobacco and vaping behaviours among Australian secondary school students. Conducted from 2018 to 2024, the program collected nearly 30,000 responses from students in Years 7 to 11. Using a social norms approach (SNA), the program aimed to identify and correct misperceptions about peer substance use and promote healthier behaviours. This report focuses on tobacco and vaping behaviours, whereas the broader program also examined the use of alcohol, cannabis, and MDMA. The findings show that while actual tobacco and vape use remain low, students …

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School Libraries In South Australia: 2024 Census, Katherine Dix, Tamara Van Der Zant May 2025

School Libraries In South Australia: 2024 Census, Katherine Dix, Tamara Van Der Zant

School and system improvement

The School Libraries in South Australia: 2024 Census offers a snapshot of the current state, challenges, and evolving roles of school libraries and their staffing in South Australia. Conducted by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) at the behest of the School Library Association of South Australia (SLASA), this census builds upon the foundational 2019 survey (Dix et al., 2020), providing a comparative analysis that highlights significant trends, progress, and ongoing challenges over the past five years. Over 600 school librarians and principals across all sectors—Government, Catholic, and Independent—were surveyed in late-2024, investigating how school libraries have adapted in …

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Understanding The Delivery Of Music Learning In Nsw Public Schools: Primary Teachers' Survey - New South Wales, Rebecca Taylor, Daniel Edwards May 2025

Understanding The Delivery Of Music Learning In Nsw Public Schools: Primary Teachers' Survey - New South Wales, Rebecca Taylor, Daniel Edwards

School and system improvement

The Music Education: Right from the Start Primary Teachers’ Survey New South Wales was conducted to understand the delivery of music education in NSW Department of Education (the department) public primary schools and to provide baseline data for policy and program development. This broad-ranging survey of teachers and representatives from 706 New South Wales public primary schools. The results highlight the status of music education in NSW public primary schools, demonstrating teachers' need for better resources, improved preparation in Initial Teacher Education (ITE), increased access to quality professional learning, and integration of music into the broader curriculum.

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Pisa 2022. A Closer Look At Mathematics In Australia, Lisa De Bortoli, Catherine Underwood Mar 2025

Pisa 2022. A Closer Look At Mathematics In Australia, Lisa De Bortoli, Catherine Underwood

OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Australia

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is an international comparative study that assesses how well 15-year-olds, who have nearly completed compulsory schooling in most participating educational systems, can use their knowledge and skills to meet real-world opportunities and challenges. In each cycle of PISA, students are assessed in the domains of reading, mathematics and science. Each cycle has a domain that is the major focus and for which there is a higher proportion of questions than from the others. Mathematics was the major focus in the 2022 cycle. The mathematics assessment framework includes 2 mathematics subscales that reflect the …

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Sdg 4.1.1 Minimum Proficiency Levels: Definition And Blueprint For Assessment [Presentation], Colin Watson, Ursula Schwantner Feb 2025

Sdg 4.1.1 Minimum Proficiency Levels: Definition And Blueprint For Assessment [Presentation], Colin Watson, Ursula Schwantner

Monitoring Learning

A critical element for aligning assessments to the UIS eligibility criteria is mapunderstanding minimum proficiency levels (MPLs) in reading and mathematics. The Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Centre, in collaboration with the UIS, has defined clear MPL benchmarks and developed a blueprint for assessment for the 3 educational stages under SDG 4.1.1. This presentation shared the definition and blueprint with key stakeholders at the 11th meeting of the Global Alliance to Monitor Learning in Paris from 25-26 February 2025, to ensure a shared understanding of the criteria needed for meaningful global reporting.

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Building Education System Resilience In Samoa: Exploring Systems, Policies And Classroom Practices, Yung Nietschke, Anna Dabrowski, Nora Warren, Michelle Arasi-Mulitalo Feb 2025

Building Education System Resilience In Samoa: Exploring Systems, Policies And Classroom Practices, Yung Nietschke, Anna Dabrowski, Nora Warren, Michelle Arasi-Mulitalo

International Education Research

This report presents the findings of research on education system resilience in Samoa during and immediately following the COVID-19 pandemic in order to build a deeper understanding of policies and practices in place, and what lessons can be drawn to support system-wide adjustments to mitigate future school disruptions. Data included case studies of practice, student assessment data and secondary data analysis of the 2018-2021 PILNA surveys for Samoa. The study identified the policies and practices that contribute to the Samoan education system's capacity to respond and recover from crisis and the factors that can drive system resilience, including social, human …

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Research Conference 2025 - Transforming Learning Systems: Conference Abstract Book, Australian Council For Educational Research Feb 2025

Research Conference 2025 - Transforming Learning Systems: Conference Abstract Book, Australian Council For Educational Research

2021-2030 ACER Research Conferences

Research Conference 2025 – Transforming learning systems, brings together international experts discussing evidence-based, high-quality approaches to transform educational practice. The focus of this year’s conference is on enabling holistic growth for all students by building sustainable capacity within education systems. The conference centres on fostering a shared language, understanding and commitment to continuous improvement in practice. Research Conference 2025 provides an opportunity to discuss practical frameworks for the complex nature of system and school improvement and building an equitable, resilient and inclusive learning system.

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National Assessment Program Civics And Citizenship 2024. Public Report, Tim Friedman, Kate O'Malley, Wolfram Schulz, Judy Nixon, Dominique Hall, Frances Eveleigh Feb 2025

National Assessment Program Civics And Citizenship 2024. Public Report, Tim Friedman, Kate O'Malley, Wolfram Schulz, Judy Nixon, Dominique Hall, Frances Eveleigh

Civics and Citizenship Assessment

This report presents the findings of the 7th National Assessment Program – Civics and Citizenship, which was administered in May 2024, and which tests students’ civics and citizenship knowledge and understanding in a sample of Australian schools. The 2024 report reveals that Year 6 and 10 students have a high degree of trust in civic institutions, but considerably less trust in the media or social media. In addition, students have also expressed concerns about a range of issues affecting Australia, including pollution, climate change, crime, and racism. It also shows that, at the national level, results have fallen since the …

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Ai Systems In Teaching And Learning: Principles And Practical Examples. Building A Path Forward, Jonathan Brazil, Suijing Yang, Fabienne Van Der Kleij Jan 2025

Ai Systems In Teaching And Learning: Principles And Practical Examples. Building A Path Forward, Jonathan Brazil, Suijing Yang, Fabienne Van Der Kleij

Digital learning research

This document provides guiding principles and practical examples for using AI in teaching and learning. Underpinned by a human-centred approach, the PATH principles serve as key guidance to ensure the ethical and effective integration of AI systems into teaching and learning. The PATH principles are: Promote teaching and learning; Advance wellbeing and social interaction; Train for AI literacy; and Harness AI ethically. Practical examples of AI applications are provided to highlight not only the diverse types of education-specific AI systems but also how generative AI can be employed to support teaching and learning. From adaptive learning platforms to AI-driven content …

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Empowering Teaching And Learning With Educational Technology: Literature Review, Suijing Yang, Daniel Taylor-Griffiths, Fabienne Van Der Kleij, Pauline Taylor-Guy, Ralph Saubern Jan 2025

Empowering Teaching And Learning With Educational Technology: Literature Review, Suijing Yang, Daniel Taylor-Griffiths, Fabienne Van Der Kleij, Pauline Taylor-Guy, Ralph Saubern

Digital learning research

Many existing reviews of educational technologies focus on the affordances of specific types of technology rather than how different technologies can be designed and used to achieve specific teaching and learning objectives. Furthermore, there appears to be a widely held assumption that the use of educational technology will result in improved outcomes. However, there has been limited scrutiny of evidence about the extent to which use of educational technologies impacts teaching and learning outcomes in school contexts. To address these gaps in understanding of educational technologies, this literature review examines the design of technologies, exploring how they have been leveraged …

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Self-Regulation: Skill Development Framework, Claire Scoular, Ian Teo, Jonathan Heard, Adam Wardell Jan 2025

Self-Regulation: Skill Development Framework, Claire Scoular, Ian Teo, Jonathan Heard, Adam Wardell

Assessment and Reporting

This self-regulation skill development framework was developed to address the challenges associated with teaching and assessing self-regulation. It provides a general definition of self-regulation and describes this construct as it applies in classroom-based learning. This framework synthesises and harmonises existing theory and research on self-regulation. It outlines self-regulation processes along prescribed strands and aspects that are informed by evidence. The strands contained within the framework are 1. Cognitive regulating; 2. Behavioural regulating; and 3. Emotional regulating. The strands are further broken down into aspects to inform teaching and assessment.

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Communication: Skill Development Framework, Claire Scoular, Jonathan Heard, Adam Wardell Jan 2025

Communication: Skill Development Framework, Claire Scoular, Jonathan Heard, Adam Wardell

Assessment and Reporting

This communication skill development framework was developed to address the challenges associated with teaching and assessing communication. It provides a general definition of communication and describes this construct as it applies in classroom-based learning. This framework synthesises and harmonises existing theory and research on communication. It outlines communication processes along prescribed strands and aspects that are informed by evidence. The strands contained within the framework are 1. Strategising an approach; 2. Conveying information; and 3. Receiving communication. The strands are further broken down into aspects to inform teaching and assessment.

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Essential Skills For Learning, Claire Scoular Jan 2025

Essential Skills For Learning, Claire Scoular

Assessment and Reporting

This document outlines work by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to identify a set of five essential skills for learning. As a result of an ongoing research program ACER has identified the skills of critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and self-regulation, and this overview document describes the building of evidence-based skill frameworks that include levels of skill development.

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Education For Citizenship In Times Of Global Challenge: Iea International Civic And Citizenship Education Study 2022 International Report, Wolfram Schulz, John Ainley, Julian Fraillon, Bruno Losito, Gabriella Agrusti, Valeria Damiani, Tim Friedman Jan 2025

Education For Citizenship In Times Of Global Challenge: Iea International Civic And Citizenship Education Study 2022 International Report, Wolfram Schulz, John Ainley, Julian Fraillon, Bruno Losito, Gabriella Agrusti, Valeria Damiani, Tim Friedman

Civics and Citizenship Assessment

This open access book investigates the ways in which young people around the world are prepared to undertake their roles as citizens. It presents the international results from the third cycle of the study IEA’s International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS 2022). Based on data from 24 countries or benchmarking participants from Europe, Latin America, and Asia, ICCS 2022 studies contexts for and learning outcomes of civic and citizenship education in a wide range of national contexts at the beginning of the third decade of the 21st Century. It responds to both enduring and emerging challenges of educating young …

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National Assessment Program Civics And Citizenship 2024 : Technical Report., Kate O'Malley, Renee Kwong, Dulce Lay, Jorge Fallas Jan 2025

National Assessment Program Civics And Citizenship 2024 : Technical Report., Kate O'Malley, Renee Kwong, Dulce Lay, Jorge Fallas

Civics and Citizenship Assessment

This report describes the procedures and processes involved in the conduct of the National Assessment Program – Civics and Citizenship (NAP – CC) 2024. The report is divided into chapters covering: the assessment framework and instrument design, item development, test design, scoring student responses, the student questionnaire, student background information, sampling and weighting, data collection procedures and data management, and scaling procedures. The report include an extensive collection of tables and figures.

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Teaching And Learning International Survey (Talis) 2024 Conceptual Framework, John Ainley, Wolfram Schulz Jan 2025

Teaching And Learning International Survey (Talis) 2024 Conceptual Framework, John Ainley, Wolfram Schulz

OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS)

This document articulates a conceptual framework for the fourth cycle of the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) programme, TALIS 2024. It reflects major concepts from research literature as well as policy interests and was developed by researchers in consultation with the OECD, international stakeholders, and participating countries and territories. The 2024 cycle is designed to address four contemporary issues for education systems and four broad content areas concerned with teaching and learning. The contemporary issues for education systems are: diversity and equity; the educational use of technology; social and emotional learning; and environmental and sustainability education. The broad content …

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Teacher Practice Improvement Tool. Preliminary Version, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer) Jan 2025

Teacher Practice Improvement Tool. Preliminary Version, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

School and system improvement

Research shows the profound impact teachers can have on student outcomes. The Teacher Practice Improvement Tool (TPIT) describes the practices of highly effective teachers, based on an extensive review of international research. Five domains—or aspects of practice—have been identified from this evidence. These areas of teachers’ work are strongly interrelated. The TPIT provides a point of reference for teachers to reflect on their current practices and identify areas for professional growth. This tool can be used for teacher self-reflection and to identify specific areas for further professional growth. The TPIT can also be used by aspiring teachers and other education …

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Pairwise Comparison Method Toolkit. A Toolkit For Countries To Measure Global Learning Outcomes., United Nations Educational, Scientific And Cultural Organization (Unesco), Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer) Jan 2025

Pairwise Comparison Method Toolkit. A Toolkit For Countries To Measure Global Learning Outcomes., United Nations Educational, Scientific And Cultural Organization (Unesco), Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Global education monitoring

This toolkit has been co-authored by the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Centre at the Australian Council for Education Research (ACER) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Institute for Statistics (UIS). ACER provides technical support to the UIS, which has been mandated to monitor the progress of countries towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) in education to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” (United Nations, 2021). The GEM Centre sponsors and contributes to public goods and activities that facilitate education systems reporting against SDG 4 in a …

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Teacher Practice Improvement Tool: A Summary Of The Underpinning Research, Fabienne Van Der Kleij, Marijne Medhurst, Michelle Lasen, Christina Rogers, Pauline Taylor-Guy Jan 2025

Teacher Practice Improvement Tool: A Summary Of The Underpinning Research, Fabienne Van Der Kleij, Marijne Medhurst, Michelle Lasen, Christina Rogers, Pauline Taylor-Guy

School and system improvement

In 2025, ACER published the Teacher Practice Improvement Tool (TPIT), as part of its family of improvement tools. A comprehensive review of international research was undertaken to inform the development of the TPIT, which resulted in the inductive development of five inter-related domains that holistically capture the practices of highly effective teachers. This document summarises the research evidence underpinning each of the five domains of the TPIT, drawing on a review of 102 studies. While recognising the interconnections between domains, it presents a structured narrative of key evidence and research-informed considerations for each domain. This summary offers a high-level overview …

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Collaboration: Skill Development Framework. 2nd Edition, Claire Scoular, Daniel Duckworth, Jonathan Heard, Dara Ramalingam Jan 2025

Collaboration: Skill Development Framework. 2nd Edition, Claire Scoular, Daniel Duckworth, Jonathan Heard, Dara Ramalingam

Assessment and Reporting

ACER's skill development framework addresses the challenges associated with teaching and assessing collaboration. It is designed to synthesise and harmonise existing theory and research on collaboration to provide a holistic perspective. It outlines collaboration processes along prescribed strands and aspects that are informed by a sound evidence base. It is based on three strands: Building shared understanding; Collectively contributing; and Regulating the group.

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Timss 2023 Australia: Highlights On Australian Student Performance, Nicole Wernert, Marina Schmid, Sima Rodrigues Dec 2024

Timss 2023 Australia: Highlights On Australian Student Performance, Nicole Wernert, Marina Schmid, Sima Rodrigues

TIMSS 2023

Australia participated in the eighth cycle of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). TIMSS is an international sample study that assesses the mathematics and science achievement of Year 4 and Year 8 students every 4 years. Australia has participated in all cycles of TIMSS since it commenced in 1995 and over this 28-year period has collected rich data about trends in mathematics and science achievement. TIMSS 2023 expanded its scope to assess environmental knowledge and attitudes. This new component provides valuable insights into students’ understanding of environmental issues, including climate change, biodiversity, and conservation. This Highlights report …

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Timss 2023 Australia. Volume 1: Student Performance, Nicole Wernert, Marina Schmid, Sima Rodrigues Dec 2024

Timss 2023 Australia. Volume 1: Student Performance, Nicole Wernert, Marina Schmid, Sima Rodrigues

TIMSS 2023

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 2023 assessment formed the eighth cycle, providing 28 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. TIMSS is a key part of Australia’s National Assessment Program. The goal of TIMSS …

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Assessment And Analytical Framework: Standardised Teacher Assessment And Review, Priyanka Sharma Dec 2024

Assessment And Analytical Framework: Standardised Teacher Assessment And Review, Priyanka Sharma

Teaching standards and teacher evaluation

The Standardised Teacher Assessment and Review (STAR) assessment framework provide operational definitions and understanding of the key aspects of teacher competencies measured by STAR. It details on how these competencies are measured, enabling necessary decisions related with teacher proficiency. The framework establishes parameters for test development through a principled design approach and defines the scope of content for the assessment instrument organised into four domains and 12 strands. The subsequent sections describe the detailed content related to each domain, ensuring comprehensive coverage and clarity in the assessment process. The robust structure not only supports the integrity of the assessment but …

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Acer 2023-2024 Annual Report, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer) Dec 2024

Acer 2023-2024 Annual Report, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

ACER Annual Reports

No abstract provided.

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