Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER)

Discipline
Keyword
Publication Year
Publication
Publication Type
File Type

Articles 601 - 630 of 1793

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

Fostering Understanding Of Early Numeracy Development, Kate Reid, Nicola Andrews Sep 2016

Fostering Understanding Of Early Numeracy Development, Kate Reid, Nicola Andrews

Monitoring Learning

In 2012, the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) began the Longitudinal Literacy and Numeracy Study: Transitions from Preschool to School (LLANS:TPS). The study is part of a program of longitudinal literacy and numeracy research at ACER that started with a seven-year longitudinal study of children’s developing literacy and numeracy throughout primary school, which began in 1999 with a cohort of 1000 children from 100 schools around Australia (Meiers et al., 2006). The original Longitudinal Literacy and Numeracy Study (LLANS) developed new instruments for assessing children’s literacy and numeracy understanding in the first three years of primary school and described …

Go to article

The School Library Workforce In Australia, Pru Mitchell, Paul R. Weldon Aug 2016

The School Library Workforce In Australia, Pru Mitchell, Paul R. Weldon

School and system improvement

A literature review by Lonsdale in 2003 observed that ‘a lack of systematically aggregated national data makes it difficult to gain an accurate picture of national trends in Australia in relation to the staffing of school libraries’ and noted ‘an apparent decline in the numbers of qualified teacher librarians employed in school libraries in public schools in Australia.’ This absence of data was also acknowledged in the 2011 report from the Inquiry of the House of Representatives Education and Employment Committee, which recommended a thorough workforce gap analysis of teacher librarians across Australian schools. New analysis of the Staff in …

Go to article

Infographic: Out-Of-Field Teaching, Jo Earp Aug 2016

Infographic: Out-Of-Field Teaching, Jo Earp

Teacher infographics

A new ACER report looks at the extent to which secondary school teachers in Australia are teaching subjects they haven't specialised in during their studies. It includes data on the proportion of Years 7-10 teachers teaching out-of-field in 20 subject areas.

Go to article

Mapping Progress – Using Data For Teaching And Learning, Geoff N. Masters Ao Aug 2016

Mapping Progress – Using Data For Teaching And Learning, Geoff N. Masters Ao

Teacher columnist – Geoff Masters

It’s important to keep in mind that there are three central uses of data in school education. Professor Geoff Masters AO discusses.

Go to article

Sharing The Stories Of Near Novices To Impact Mainstream Change, Bronwyn Stuckey Aug 2016

Sharing The Stories Of Near Novices To Impact Mainstream Change, Bronwyn Stuckey

2009 - 2019 ACER Research Conferences

This case study research is designed to examine the ways in which teachers are bringing gameful practices into their classrooms as part of a STEM learning agenda. It is hypothesised that one of the best persons to inform or improve the practice of novices is a near novice; someone who was most recently themselves a novice. In many case study programs, we hold up exemplary practitioners as models, but these experts may be too far removed in their levels of expertise to impact the practice of true novices. Experts and evangelists might be useful in creating vision for change, but …

Go to article

Promoting Girls’ And Boys’ Engagement And Participation In Senior Secondary Stem Fields And Occupational Aspirations, Helen Watt Aug 2016

Promoting Girls’ And Boys’ Engagement And Participation In Senior Secondary Stem Fields And Occupational Aspirations, Helen Watt

2009 - 2019 ACER Research Conferences

Sufficient numbers of people with science and mathematics qualifications are needed for continuing growth in productivity and industry innovation. The Australian Industry Group (2015, p. 5) cautioned, ‘the pipeline of STEM skills to the workforce remains perilous’ because participation in sciences and advanced mathematics at school and university is in decline, participation is not comparable with other nations, and our students underperform in major international studies. Gender differences in enrolments and career plans continue to fuel the concern of researchers with interest in gender equity. Many have argued girls prematurely restrict their options by discontinuing particular STEM subjects in adolescence, …

Go to article

Infographic: Wise Words On Teacher Wellbeing, Jo Earp Aug 2016

Infographic: Wise Words On Teacher Wellbeing, Jo Earp

Teacher infographics

The 2016 Teacher reader survey includes the question: "Looking back on your experience as an educator, if you could share a piece of advice with your peers, what would it be?" Here are some of our favourite responses so far on the topic of wellbeing.

Go to article

Attitudes Toward Migration Across European Countries: Results From Iccs 2009, Wolfram Schulz, Bruno Losito Aug 2016

Attitudes Toward Migration Across European Countries: Results From Iccs 2009, Wolfram Schulz, Bruno Losito

Civics and Citizenship Assessment

The European Union is a region with high levels of migration, both from outside the EU as well as between member countries (OECD, 2012). The movement of people into some European countries from former colonies, as well the recent increased movement of people between countries in Europe, is leading to more multicultural communities in many European countries. Recent events resulting from the Syrian refugee crisis have highlighted the challenges that results from having to balance the rights, cultures and traditions of diverse groups in society. Education plays an important role in facilitating cohesion in society (Ajegbo, Kiwan, & Sharma, 2007; …

Go to article

Monitoring Student Growth, Geoff N. Masters Ao Jul 2016

Monitoring Student Growth, Geoff N. Masters Ao

Teacher columnist – Geoff Masters

In any given classroom, students are likely to be at very different points in their learning and development. Professor Geoff Masters AO explores why it is important for teachers to be able to track the long-term progress that each student makes.

Go to article

Infographic: How Are Teachers Using Networked Technologies?, Rebecca Vukovic Jul 2016

Infographic: How Are Teachers Using Networked Technologies?, Rebecca Vukovic

Teacher infographics

From online videos to digital comics and video games – there are countless different ways teachers can use technology to support their lessons. So how are teachers using networked technologies in the classroom? Find out in this Teacher infographic.

Go to article

2015 Learning Assessment Of Secondary Institutions (Lasi), Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer) Jul 2016

2015 Learning Assessment Of Secondary Institutions (Lasi), Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Assessment and Reporting

The Learning Assessment of Secondary Institutions (LASI) is a sample based assessment which gathers data on Grade 6 and Grade 8 students' learning outcomes in Reading of Bangla, and English and mathematics and also on the contextual factors that may influence student learning. It is designed as a long-term monitoring program which will measure improvement in learning between grades and within grades over time. This report presents the findings from the Bangladesh Learning Assessment of Secondary Schools, 2015 (LASI 2015). The report provides an introduction to the LASI 2015 assessment which includes information about the methodology and the instruments used …

Go to article

Infographic: Distribution Of Class Time, Jo Earp Jul 2016

Infographic: Distribution Of Class Time, Jo Earp

Teacher infographics

The OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2013 asked lower secondary education teachers about the distribution of class time during the average lesson. So, how much time is actually spent on teaching and learning?

Go to article

Measuring The Impact Of Citizen-Led Assessments For Improving The Quality Of Education, Mollie Tobin, Petra Lietz Jul 2016

Measuring The Impact Of Citizen-Led Assessments For Improving The Quality Of Education, Mollie Tobin, Petra Lietz

Assessment GEMS

Effective communication and advocacy activities are essential components in initiating change in education practices and policies. ACER, through the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Centre provided support to OMAES (Oeuvre Malienne d’Aide à l’Enfance du Sahel), a non-governmental organisation in Mali, for the development of an internal monitoring and evaluation system for the Beekunko assessment in Mali. Bεεkunko is a household-based assessment of children’s learning outcomes in literacy and numeracy for children in Mali whether currently attending school or not, and who are six to 14 years of age. OMAES’ primary aim through Bεεkunko is to motivate stakeholders at various levels …

Go to article

Improving Quality Education And Children’S Learning Outcomes And Effective Practices In The Eastern And Southern Africa Region : Appendices, Tim Friedman, Ursula Schwantner, Jeaniene Spink, Naoko Tabata, Charlotte Waters Jul 2016

Improving Quality Education And Children’S Learning Outcomes And Effective Practices In The Eastern And Southern Africa Region : Appendices, Tim Friedman, Ursula Schwantner, Jeaniene Spink, Naoko Tabata, Charlotte Waters

Monitoring Learning

These appendices comprises a collection of tables, figures, methodology and country case study notes to support the main report of this study: Improving Quality Education and Children’s Learning Outcomes and Effective Practices in the Eastern and Southern Africa Region : Main report.

Go to article

Improving Quality Education And Children’S Learning Outcomes And Effective Practices In The Eastern And Southern Africa Region : Rwanda : Country Case Study, Ursula Schwantner Jul 2016

Improving Quality Education And Children’S Learning Outcomes And Effective Practices In The Eastern And Southern Africa Region : Rwanda : Country Case Study, Ursula Schwantner

Monitoring Learning

This case study of Rwanda provides an understanding of the specific practices implemented to measure and improve the literacy and numeracy learning outcomes of Rwandan primary school children in the long term. An important development regarding the quality standards and assurance programme of education in Rwanda is the 2011 introduction of Learning Achievement in Rwandan Schools (LARS). This case study outlines the main purposes and components of LARS, the main findings regarding effective strategies and factors from the LARS baseline report and the capacity building component of LARS.

Go to article

Improving Quality Education And Children’S Learning Outcomes And Effective Practices In The Eastern And Southern Africa Region : Main Report, Tim Friedman, Ursula Schwantner, Jeaniene Spink, Naoko Tabata, Charlotte Waters Jul 2016

Improving Quality Education And Children’S Learning Outcomes And Effective Practices In The Eastern And Southern Africa Region : Main Report, Tim Friedman, Ursula Schwantner, Jeaniene Spink, Naoko Tabata, Charlotte Waters

Monitoring Learning

In order to understand the major impediments to student learning in the region, UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office commissioned this study to map and compare existing assessments of literacy and numeracy in primary education in the region, to examine how the data can be used to characterise children who are experiencing only limited learning outcomes to inform education policy, and to document practices that could help improve learning outcomes of disadvantaged children. The report concludes with a macro theory of change combining assessment, analysis and action. The research was jointly supported by ACER's Centre for Global Education Monitoring.

Go to article

Improving Quality Education And Children’S Learning Outcomes And Effective Practices In The Eastern And Southern Africa Region : Zimbabwe : Country Case Study, Elizabeth Cassity Jul 2016

Improving Quality Education And Children’S Learning Outcomes And Effective Practices In The Eastern And Southern Africa Region : Zimbabwe : Country Case Study, Elizabeth Cassity

Monitoring Learning

This case study of Zimbabwe provides an understanding of the specific practices implemented to measure and improve the literacy and numeracy learning outcomes of Zimbabwean primary school children in the long term. It explores emerging trends from the 2014 Zimbabwe Early Learning Assessment (ZELA) in student learning outcomes and the provision of textbooks and teaching materials procured through the Education Development Fund (EDF). It also reviews the multiyear programme of an intensive capacity-building partnership with the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) and the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). The capacity-building programme supports the longterm sustainability of ZELA through system …

Go to article

Citizen-Led Educational Monitoring Shows Promise Jun 2016

Citizen-Led Educational Monitoring Shows Promise

International Developments

A citizen-led approach to the collection of information about schooling and children’s learning is showing great promise in terms of educational monitoring and policy making.

Go to article

The Big Picture : The Impact Of Assessments On Education Policy Jun 2016

The Big Picture : The Impact Of Assessments On Education Policy

International Developments

ACER’s analysis of the impact of large-scale assessments on education policy in the Asia-Pacific region aims to help stakeholders improve the design and usefulness of assessments.

Go to article

A Collaborative Approach To National Assessment In Saudi Arabia Jun 2016

A Collaborative Approach To National Assessment In Saudi Arabia

International Developments

A collaborative assessment project involving the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and Saudi Arabia’s Public Education Evaluation Commission (PEEC) has involved the rapid development of national sample assessments of students in Grades 3 and 6 in Mathematics and Science.

Go to article

Building Assessment Capability In South East Asia, Jeaniene Spink Jun 2016

Building Assessment Capability In South East Asia, Jeaniene Spink

International Developments

A new primary years assessment will help teachers, curriculum designers and policymakers to better measure the learning achievement of students in South East Asia. Jeaniene Spink reports.

Go to article

Supporting Leadership Preparation In Indonesia, Kathryn Moyle Jun 2016

Supporting Leadership Preparation In Indonesia, Kathryn Moyle

International Developments

Kathryn Moyle reports on an evaluation of a professional learning program for aspiring school principals in Indonesia.

Go to article

Mapping Progress : Using Data For Teaching And Learning, Geoff N. Masters Jun 2016

Mapping Progress : Using Data For Teaching And Learning, Geoff N. Masters

International Developments

In a world of rapidly expanding data, it is important to keep in mind that there are three central uses of data in school education. Geoff Masters explains.

Go to article

Measuring Learning : Why We Need To Learn Together, Jeaniene Spink Jun 2016

Measuring Learning : Why We Need To Learn Together, Jeaniene Spink

International Developments

One of the keys to increasing the quality and comparability of learning measures is cooperation within the international community to develop common benchmarks to measure learning outcomes, argues Jeaniene Spink.

Go to article

International Developments (No.6) 2016 Jun 2016

International Developments (No.6) 2016

International Developments

In this issue of International Developments we look at the purposeful collection of educational data through progressive achievement testing to enable teachers to establish where students are in their long-term learning, diagnose individual strengths and weaknesses, identify the best next steps for action, decide on appropriate evidence-based interventions, monitor the progress students make over time, and evaluate the effectiveness of their own teaching decisions and approaches. We also explore how a new primary years assessment is helping teachers, curriculum designers and policymakers to better measure the learning achievement of students in South East Asia; investigate the impact of a professional …

Go to article

Infographic: Preparing Teachers For The Classroom, Jo Earp Jun 2016

Infographic: Preparing Teachers For The Classroom, Jo Earp

Teacher infographics

In the experience of Australian Principals, how well prepared are recent teacher graduates in relation to areas such as dealing with difficult student behaviour, making effective use of ICT, and subject content knowledge? Find out in today's infographic.

Go to article

Schools As Learning Organisations, Geoff N. Masters Ao Jun 2016

Schools As Learning Organisations, Geoff N. Masters Ao

Teacher columnist – Geoff Masters

School improvement is most likely when an entire school has a shared improvement agenda and is committed to learning how to improve. Professor Geoff Masters AO discusses a five-step improvement cycle.

Go to article

Translating Stem Education Research Into Practice, Christine Rosicka Jun 2016

Translating Stem Education Research Into Practice, Christine Rosicka

Professional learning for teachers and school leaders

This translational research project from the Centre for Education Policy and Practice sought evidence-based practical applications, programs or interventions that can be implemented in the primary classroom to address STEM learning. A literature search for STEM education interventions in primary years was undertaken in order to identify integrated STEM programs that have had a proven impact on student outcomes. This paper outlines the scope and methodology of the review. It then considers the findings in terms of four key themes and translates them into short messages for teachers. The recent literature on STEM education was found to centre around four …

Go to article

Victorian Teacher Supply And Demand Report 2012 And 2013, Paul R. Weldon, Chandra Shah, Glenn Rowley Jun 2016

Victorian Teacher Supply And Demand Report 2012 And 2013, Paul R. Weldon, Chandra Shah, Glenn Rowley

School and system improvement

This report provides forecasts of the supply and demand for teachers in Victoria from 2014 to 2020. The teaching workforce includes all teachers from K to 12. This is the tenth in the series of such reports, the first of which was released in 2001. Unlike previous reports, this one includes a section on Early Childhood and has more extensive analysis of the future demand for teachers in the state.

Go to article

Acer 2014-2015 Annual Report, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer) Jun 2016

Acer 2014-2015 Annual Report, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

ACER Annual Reports

The annual report of the Australian Council for Educational Research 2014-15 includes a spotlight on ACER's work in assessment reform and innovation, digital technologies, understanding the teaching workforce, Indigenous Australians, improving equity, education monitoring, and recognition of success. The report details commissioned research and staff publications.

Go to article

First Prev Next Last