Elementary Education Commons^™

Evaluation Of The Smiling Mind Primary School Program 2023, Tamara Van Der Zant, Katherine Dix, Toby Carslake

Wellbeing

In its various forms, the Smiling Mind Primary School Program (the Program) has been delivered in Australian schools since 2016. The Program is a mindfulness-based social and emotional learning (SEL) program designed for primary school students in Years 1 to 6. It aims to support the mental wellbeing and emotional resilience of students. The Program offers an online, digital, curriculum, delivered by trained classroom educators, that incorporates practices and techniques to help students develop skills for managing stress, building resilience, and enhancing their overall mental health.

The Program was delivered to 733 schools in 2023, and due to the ongoing …

Lesson 2: Grade 2 Language And Communication Lesson Video Transcript, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Education Analytics Service

This video transcript is from a Grade 2 Language and Communication (literacy) lesson in Port Vila, Vanuatu. In this lesson, the teacher works with the students to construct a narrative from a series of pictures from a story. The teacher uses French as the primary language of instruction, and Bislama at times. The video is part of a training package developed by the Australian Council of Educational Research to enable those observing early primary classes to make consistent and reliable observations. It is based on a purpose-built classroom observation tool developed to collect data on changes to teaching practice and …

Lesson 1: Language And Communication Lesson Video Transcript, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Education Analytics Service

This video transcript is from a Grade 2 Language and Communication (literacy) lesson in Port Vila, Vanuatu. In this lesson, students revise letter sounds before the teacher introduces a new sound and associated words. The teacher uses French as the primary language of instruction, and Bislama at times. The video is part of a training package developed by the Australian Council of Educational Research to enable those observing early primary classes to make consistent and reliable observations. It is based on a purpose-built classroom observation tool developed to collect data on changes to teaching practice and a training program for …

Lesson Observation Record Classroom Observation Training Package, Hilary Hollingsworth, Debbie Wong, Elizabeth Cassity

Education Analytics Service

This Lesson Observation Record is part of a classroom observation training package developed by the Australian Council of Educational Research to enable those observing early primary classes to make consistent and reliable observations. It is based on a purpose-built classroom observation tool developed to collect data on changes to teaching practice and a training program for local researchers. Observers use the Lesson Observation Record to note their observations.

Teacher Development Multi-Year Study Series. Classroom Observation Training Package: Using Classroom Observation To Investigate And Understand Teaching Quality, Debbie Wong, Hilary Hollingsworth, Elizabeth Cassity, Adeola Monty

Education Analytics Service

The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) has created an open-access classroom observation tool based on research conducted for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (DFAT) Teacher Development Multi-Year Study Series, which studied teaching practices in Timor-Leste, Vanuatu and Lao PDR (see https://research.acer.edu.au/eas/). This comprehensive tool is designed to capture various aspects of teaching and learning in the classroom. It aims to help education researchers and practitioners gather evidence of teaching practices, particularly in the early grades of primary education in low- and middle-income countries. The tool is also intended for use by local observers, regardless of their …

Codebook For Classroom Observation Training Package, Hilary Hollingsworth, Debbie Wong, Elizabeth Cassity

Education Analytics Service

This Codebook is part of a classroom observation training package developed by the Australian Council of Educational Research to enable those observing early primary classes to make consistent and reliable observations. It is based on a purpose-built classroom observation tool developed to collect data on changes to teaching practice and a training program for local researchers. The Codebook offers detailed descriptions of the items to be observed during a lesson, including examples of relevant actions or activities. Observers use the Codebook to make decisions when coding.

Strengthening Foundational Learning In The Asean Region: A Review Of Promising Practices, Yung Nietschke, Adeola Monty, Anna Dabrowski, Payal Goundar, Syeda Kashfee Ahmed, Debbie Wong, Jeaniene Spink

International Education Research

In the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, there is a learning crisis. Children from the most marginalised groups face insurmountable barriers to accessing a quality education, while many of those who are in school are not learning. Foundational learning is often described as the essential skills and knowledge that serve as the basis for further learning and development, and includes basic literacy (reading and writing) and numeracy (mathematics), and more recently, a focus on critical thinking, problem-solving, and socioemotional skills. In collaboration, ASEAN and the United Kingdom have established the Supporting the Advancement of Girls' Education (SAGE) Programme …

Baseline Study For A Refugee Children’S Programme In Sudan, Acer India

ACER India

This is a brief report on a project to measure the baseline metrics of UNICEF’s Integration and Mainstreaming of Refugee Children into the Sudanese Education System (IRCSES) programme.

Smiling Mind Evaluation 2021-2022: Effectiveness Of The Smiling Mind Primary School Program, Katherine Dix, Tamara Van Der Zant, Toby Carslake, Rachel Felgate, Syeda Kashfee Ahmed

Wellbeing

In Australia, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of mental wellbeing and emotional resilience in students’ overall development. In response, the Smiling Mind Primary School Program was designed as a mindfulness-based social and emotional learning program for primary students in Years 1 to 6. This report presents a large-scale evaluation conducted independently by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) of the Smiling Mind Primary School Program.

The program was delivered in 461 primary schools in regional, rural, and disadvantaged communities across Australia. The evaluation covers the period from program launch in Term 1 2021, and finishes …

Infographic: Reading Instruction Strategies Used In Year 4 Lessons In Australia, Dominique Russell

Teacher infographics

Recently released survey data from PIRLS 2021 (Progress in International Reading and Literacy Study) includes information on reading instruction strategies used in year 4 lessons. This infographic shows the percentage of Australian PIRLS 2021 students whose teachers reported using these strategies in every or almost every lesson.

Teacher Development Multi-Year Study Series. Report Highlights. Timor-Leste: Final Report, Elizabeth Cassity, Jennie Chainey, Debbie Wong

Education Analytics Service

The Australian Government is supporting the Government of Timor-Leste to undertake educational reforms through the Partnership for Human Development (PHD) and Apoiu Lideransa liuhosi Mentoria no Apredizajen (ALMA). ALMA enables the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) to develop teacher professional learning to support the implementation of its National Basic Education Curriculum. Under the Teacher Development Multi-Year Study for Timor-Leste, the Education Analytics Service (EAS) is investigating how ALMA is making a difference to teaching and learning outcomes. The new curriculum was developed in 2013 as a staged approach for pre-school to grade 6, with a focus on improving …

Spotlight On Student Engagement. Evaluation Of Australia’S Investment In Teacher Development In Lao Pdr (Lao Version), Australian Council For Educational Research

Education Analytics Service

The Australian Government is supporting the Government of Lao PDR to undertake significant primary education reforms through its flagship Basic Education Quality and Access in Lao PDR program (BEQUAL), including the roll-out of a new primary curriculum. Phase 1 of BEQUAL (2015-22) supported the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) to roll out the new primary curriculum in schools. BEQUAL support included teaching and learning materials, orientation training on the new curriculum, and education support grants. Phase 2 (2022-26) is focused on inclusive teaching practices, student engagement and improved learning outcomes. To understand progress and to make necessary adjustments, the …

Teacher Development Multi-Year Study Series. Vanuatu: Final Report, Elizabeth Cassity, Debbie Wong, Jevelin Wendiady, Jennie Chainey

Education Analytics Service

The Australian Government is supporting the Government of Vanuatu through its Vanuatu Education Support Program (VESP) to undertake long-term education reforms. A key focus of these reforms is the rollout of a new national curriculum in conjunction with the National Language Policy (2012), intended to improve teaching quality and student learning outcomes for students in the primary and early secondary years of education. Part of a multi-year study series, the Education Analytics Service (EAS) is investigating how the VESP is making a difference to these teaching and learning outcomes. The new primary curriculum has been rolled out to schools in …

Infographic: Student Perspectives On Making School A Better Place, Dominique Russell

Teacher infographics

Almost 14,000 children aged 8-12 responded to the prompt, ‘the world would be better if…’ as part of a project run by South Australia’s Commissioner for Children and Young People. In this infographic, we share some of their responses.

Development Of Educational Quality Mapping Instruments (Ip-Snp) In West Java, Rina Mutaqinah, Bambang Sumintono, Yanti Triatna

International Conference on Assessment and Learning (ICAL)

Decision-making must be based on valid data, as well as decision-making in the field of education. It is very important to have a valid instrument, therefore it is necessary to develop an educational quality mapping instrument that can measure the achievement of the quality of education. This instrument was developed based on educational quality standards, namely the competency quality of graduates, content, process, assessment, educators and education personnel, infrastructure, management, and financing. The purpose of this study was to obtain an instrument that has high validity. The educational quality mapping instrument (IP-SNP) uses a rating scale, collecting data through a …

Teacher Development Multi-Year Studies. Using Classroom Observations To Investigate And Understand Teaching Quality: Initial Lessons Learned, Hilary Hollingsworth, Debbie Wong

Education Analytics Service

This paper presents some initial lessons learned about the use of classroom observation data as a key form of evidence regarding improved teaching quality in a multi-year teacher development study series. This study series, commissioned by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), involves the investigation of teacher development initiatives that are primarily designed to support the implementation of new primary curriculum in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos), Timor-Leste and Vanuatu. The overall aim of the study series is to understand the extent to which the Australian investment has improved teaching quality and student learning. This paper …

Report Highlights: Evaluation Of Australia’S Investment In Teacher Development In Lao Pdr: Interim Report 1, Hilary Hollingsworth, Debbie Wong, Elizabeth Cassity, Prue Anderson, Jessica Thompson

Education Analytics Service

The Government of Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) is undertaking significant primary education reforms, supported by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through its flagship Basic Education Quality and Access in Laos program (BEQUAL). The Australian Government has commissioned a study to investigate how the BEQUAL program is making a difference to improving teaching quality and student learning outcomes. This research is part of a multi-year study series undertaken by DFAT’s Education Analytics Service to investigate teacher and learning development initiatives in three countries: Lao PDR, Timor-Leste and Vanuatu.

Teacher Development Multi-Year Study Series. Vanuatu: Interim Report 2, Elizabeth Cassity, Jennie Chainey, Jacqueline Cheng, Debbie Wong

Education Analytics Service

The Australian Government is supporting the Government of Vanuatu through its Vanuatu Education Support Program (VESP) to undertake long-term education reforms. A key focus of these reforms is the rollout of a new national curriculum in conjunction with the National Language Policy (2012), intended to improve teaching quality and student learning outcomes for students in the primary and early secondary years of education. Part of a multi-year study series, the Education Analytics Service (EAS) is investigating how the VESP is making a difference to these teaching and learning outcomes.

Teacher Development Multi-Year Study Series. Evaluation Of Australia’S Investment In Teacher Development In Lao Pdr: Interim Report 1, Hilary Hollingsworth, Debbie Wong, Elizabeth Cassity, Prue Anderson, Jessica Thompson

Education Analytics Service

The Government of Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) is undertaking significant primary education reforms, supported by the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through its flagship Basic Education Quality and Access in Laos program (BEQUAL). The Australian Government has commissioned a study to investigate how the BEQUAL program is making a difference to improving teaching quality and student learning outcomes. This research is part of a multi-year study series undertaken by DFAT's Education Analytics Service to investigate teacher and learning development initiatives in three countries: Lao PDR, Timor-Leste and Vanuatu. In 2019, the new curriculum for …

Teacher Development Multi-Year Study Series. Report Highlights. Vanuatu: Interim Report 2, Elizabeth Cassity, Jennie Chainey, Jacqueline Cheng, Debbie Wong

Education Analytics Service

The Teacher Development Multi-Year Study for Vanuatu seeks to answer the question: To what extent does Australia’s aid investment produce improved teaching quality and improved student learning? The 3 specific questions are: 1. To what extent has the investment improved teaching quality in Vanuatu? 2. To what extent has the investment in teacher training and mentoring supported effective implementation of Vanuatu’s new curriculum? 3. To what extent have teacher training and support activities led to improved learning outcomes? The study adopts a mixed methods approach using qualitative case study data and quantitative student assessment data from the Vanuatu Standardised Test …

Teacher Development Multi-Year Study Series. Timor-Leste: Final Report, Elizabeth Cassity, Jennie Chainey, Debbie Wong

Education Analytics Service

The Australian Government is supporting the Government of Timor-Leste in education through the Partnership for Human Development (PHD) and Apoiu Lideransa liuhosi Mentoria no Apredizajen (ALMA). ALMA supports the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) to develop teacher professional learning, particularly in support of its major reform of rolling out and implementing the National Basic Education Curriculum (new curriculum) across schools in Timor-Leste. Under the Teacher Development Multi-Year Study for Timor-Leste (the Study), the Education Analytics Service (EAS) is investigating how ALMA is making a difference to these teaching and learning outcomes. The new curriculum was developed in 2013 …

School-Based Mental Health Promotion And Early Intervention Programs In New South Wales, Australia: Mapping Practice To Policy And Evidence, Kristin R. Laurens, Linda J. Graham, Katherine Dix, Felicity Harris, Stacy Tzoumakis, Kate E. Williams, Jill M. Schofield, Traci Prendergast, Neale Waddy, Mary Taiwo, Vaughan J. Carr, Melissa J. Green

Wellbeing

Limited empirical evidence is available regarding the uptake and effectiveness of school-based mental health and wellbeing programs implemented in Australian schools. This study aimed to characterise the delivery of programs in primary (elementary) schools across New South Wales, Australia, and to assess this information against published ratings of program effectiveness. Delivery of programs in four health-promoting domains—creating a positive school community; teaching social and emotional skills; engaging the parent community; and supporting students experiencing mental health difficulties—were reported by 597 school principals/leaders via online survey. Although three quarters of principals reported implementing at least one program, many of these programs …

Research Snapshot: Unicef Philippines Early Childhood Education Kindergarten To Grade 4 Longitudinal Study, Rachel Parker, Jacqueline H. S. Cheng, Prue Anderson, Dan Cloney, Adeola Monty

Early Childhood Education

The Philippines Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Longitudinal Study was a major research investment by UNICEF, the Philippines Department of Education, and the Australian Government. It was designed to investigate the impact of one of the most significant education reforms in Philippines history: the introduction of the Kindergarten year as part of the K-12 Basic Education System. It offers useful insights into the impact of Philippines Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) and key language transition points for students from Kindergarten to Grade 4. This longitudinal study measured not only the impact of Kindergarten, but also the contribution that preschool …

Rethinking Measurement For Accountable Assessment, Mark Wilson

2021-2030 ACER Research Conferences

The underlying model for most formal educational measurement (e.g. standardised tests) is based on a very simple model: the student takes a test (possibly alongside other students). The complications of there being an instructional plan, actual instruction, interpretation of the outcome, and formulation of next steps, are all bypassed in considering how to model the process of measurement. There are some standard exceptions, of course: a pre-test/post-test context will involve two measurements, and attention to gain score, or similar. However, if we wish to design measurement to hold to Lehrer’s (2021) definition of ‘accountable assessment’ – as ‘actionable information for …

Accountable Assessment, Richard Lehrer

2021-2030 ACER Research Conferences

There is widespread agreement about the importance of accounting for the extent to which educational systems advance student learning. Yet, the forms and formats of accountable assessments often ill serve students and teachers; the summative judgements of student performance that are typically employed to indicate proficiencies on benchmarks of student learning commonly fail to capture student performance in ways that are specific and actionable for teachers. Timing is another key barrier to the utility of summative assessment. In the US, summative evaluations occur at the end of the school year and may serve future students, but do not help teachers …

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 …

Australia's Investment In Teacher Development In Lao Pdr: Baseline Results, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Education Analytics Service

Student dropouts, grade repetition and low levels of learning achievement are major challenges in education in Lao PDR. This infographic presents key results of data collected from primary schools across Lao PDR in April 2019. This data acts as a baseline before the introduction of a new primary education curriculum supported by Australia's flagship program in Lao PDR - the Basic Education Access in Lao PDR program (BEQUAL). Further data will be collected in 2021 and 2022 to determine the impact of Australia's investments in teacher development through the BEQUAL program on improving teaching and student learning.

Lao Pdr: Policy Insights From A Multi-Year Teaching And Learning Study Series, Debbie Wong, Hilary Hollingsworth

Education Analytics Service

The Australian Government is supporting significant education reforms in Lao PDR. This policy note summarises baseline findings on primary school teacher practice and student learning outcomes, at a point just prior to major curriculum changes. Key findings include the need for intensive action on Lao language literacy, targeted teacher training on the new curriculum with a special emphasis on second language learners, and deepened engagement with school communities to reduce student absenteeism and improve student readiness for school. Part of a multi-year study series, the Education Analytics Service is investigating how the Basic Education Quality and Access in Laos program …

Teacher Development Multi-Year Studies. Emerging Themes: Challenges And Enablers, Debbie Wong, Elizabeth Cassity

Education Analytics Service

The global learning crisis has highlighted the urgent need to improve the quality of education. COVID-19 disruptions have placed even greater focus on the learning improvement agenda, and the need to ensure disadvantaged children are not further left behind. Teacher development, and improving teaching quality, therefore is at the heart of many education systems’ policies and programs. This paper presents some of the key considerations for improving teaching across three countries which are being investigated as part of a multi-year teacher development study series. This study series, commissioned by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), involves …

Timor-Leste: Policy Insights From A Multi-Year Teaching And Learning Study Series, Jennie Chainey, Elizabeth Cassity

Education Analytics Service

The Australian Government is supporting significant education reforms in Timor-Leste. This policy note summarises findings on primary school teacher practice and student learning outcomes during the phased introduction of major curriculum changes. Key areas identified for action include the need to promote inclusive classroom practices and address capacity gaps in this area. In addition, establish measures to ensure effective school leadership and school practices continue once the Apoiu Lideransa liuhosi Mentoria no Aprendizajen (ALMA) program support ceases or there are institutional changes. Part of a multi-year study, the Education Analytics Service is investigating how ALMA is making a difference to …