International and Comparative Education Commons^™

The Role Of Big Data In Education Quality Monitoring: Implications At The Global, Regional And National Levels, Ursula Schwantner, Amit Kaushik, Ross Turner, Charlotte Waters, Ray J. Adams

Global education monitoring

The paper discusses the role of big data in monitoring education quality and implications at the global, regional and national levels in the light of international efforts to monitor progress in achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal in Education (SDG 4). Data on learning outcomes are central in establishing and monitoring education quality. The proportion of children achieving at least a minimum proficiency in reading and mathematics is a primary indicator of SDG 4. For this indicator to be meaningful across contexts, a shared understanding must be reached on its constituents and the data used to report progress. While large-scale assessments …

Education Sector Interconnections: Foundation Level, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Education Analytics Service

The purpose of this module is to provide an introduction to the key sub-sectors of education and the way they link and interconnect with each other. It provides a foundation to engage in this topic and apply advice from staff with operational or expert levels of knowledge in education. On successful completion you will be able to be an informed participant in forums related to education sector interconnections.

Education Sector Interconnections: Practitioner Level, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Education Analytics Service

The purpose of this module is to enhance the understanding of education sector staff on the structure of education systems in developing countries, the interconnections within the education sector, and the wider implications of policy reforms across education systems. It is recommended that staff complete the Education Sector Interconnections: Foundation level module as background information to this Practitioner level module. Topics covered in this module include: why it is important to understand how a country’s education systems are structured; policy decisions in one sub-sector have implications for the others; the implications of policy reforms; how development partners can engage effectively …

Current International Projects

International Developments

This article provides an overview of the international projects the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) is involved in.

Large-Scale Assessments In The Context Of Developing Countries, Ursula Schwantner

International Developments

A new analysis of assessments around the world identifies how best to operate large-scale assessments in developing countries.

Improving Student Learning In Mali, Petra Lietz

International Developments

ACER has been working over the past two years to help develop an internal monitoring and evaluation system in Mali.

In Africa, Many Are In School But Not Learning, Ursula Schwantner

International Developments

ACER analysis for UNICEF examines the major impediments to children’s learning as a considerable proportion of students in Eastern and Southern African schools do not reach expected basic learning benchmarks in numeracy and literacy.

Girls’ Primary And Secondary Education In Malawi: Sector Review: Final Report, Sally Robertson, Elizabeth Cassity, Esthery Kunkwenzu

Monitoring Learning

Enhancing girls’ access to high-quality education is a global priority that is articulated in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is also a national priority in Malawi. The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) was contracted by UNICEF, to conduct an education sector review of girls’ primary and secondary education in Malawi. The review aimed to: outline the current context and challenges relating to girls’ education in Malawi; identify the key factors contributing to gender inequalities in educational access and outcomes; provide an overview of the policies and strategies currently in place to enhance girls’ education; provide recommendations to help …

Monitoring Trends In Educational Growth: Assessment Framework For Afghanistan, Acer Centre For Global Education Monitoring (Acer-Gem)

Monitoring Trends in Educational Growth (MTEG)

The Monitoring Trends in Educational Growth (MTEG) program aims to achieve the breadth and rigour of large-scale international surveys while also addressing the unique needs and context of Afghanistan. The MTEG program will provide an ongoing measure of students’ educational progress at key stages of learning: middle primary school (Class 3), towards the end of primary school (Class 6), and towards the end of compulsory secondary schooling (Class 9). This MTEG assessment framework provides a statement and discussion about what the assessment intends to measure and lays out the principles upon which it has been built. It outlines an approach …

Pisa For Development Technical Strand A: Enhancement Of Pisa Cognitive Instruments, Ray J. Adams, John Cresswell

OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)

The OECD is planning to enhance existing PISA assessment instruments in reading, mathematics and science so that they will be more suitable to the context of developing countries. The main purpose of this paper is to identify the main technical issues associated with this aim. The paper reports detailed analysis of the existing PISA item pool and its suitability for countries which have students of average limited capacity. The paper cautions that the fit of developing country data to the PISA model is not good and that modifications to address some of the deviations should be explored. The use of …

Evaluation Of Ict In Education In Papua Province (Acdp-045): Final Report, Susanne Owen, John Hunt, Eda Simanjuntak, Eko Sediyono, Prapto Yuwono, Sri Yulianto, Wigati Yektinintys Modouw

ACER Indonesia

The Evaluation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Education in Papua Province study is a large-scale research project for the Republic of Indonesia’s Education Sector Analytical and Capacity Development Partnership (ACDP). The key objectives of the Study are: to measure the effectiveness of the TV-Edukasi (Education) (TV-E) and other ICT programs in the Province and to determine their impact on the learning outcomes of school children and adult learners; and to make recommendations to plan for further ICT in education initiatives.

Assessments To Support Quality Teaching And Learning, Charlotte Waters

International Developments

The focus of post-2015 development goals on educational quality for all is directing attention to assessments that support quality teaching and learning, as Charlotte Waters explains.

Supporting Teacher Development : Literature Review, Kate Reid, Elizabeth Kleinhenz

Initial Teacher education

This literature review identifies and evaluates evidence on the effectiveness of approaches to improving teacher quality in developing countries. It examines four categories of assistance for improving teacher quality: teacher development policies, pre-service education and training, in-service professional development, and school-based support. As far as possible, the review highlights practices that demonstrate effectiveness.

A Review Of International Large-Scale Assessments In Education: Assessing Component Skills And Collecting Contextual Data, John Cresswell, Ursula Schwantner, Charlotte Waters

OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)

The OECD has initiated PISA for Development (PISA-D) in response to the rising need of developing countries to collect data about their education systems and the capacity of their student bodies. This report aims to compare and contrast approaches regarding the instruments that are used to collect data on (a) component skills and cognitive instruments, (b) contextual frameworks, and (c) the implementation of the different international assessments, as well as approaches to include children who are not at school, and the ways in which data are used. It then seeks to identify assessment practices in these three areas that will …

Monitoring Trends In Educational Growth Class 6 Student Questionnaire Prepared In 2013 For The Ministry Of Education, Afghanistan: Source Version - English, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Monitoring Trends in Educational Growth (MTEG)

This student context questionnaire for year 6 students in Afghanistan, is a product of ACER’s Monitoring Trends in Educational Growth (MTEG) service. The questionnaire covers questions about the student, his/her family, schooling and interests.

Monitoring Trends In Educational Growth Class 6 School Principal Questionnaire Prepared In 2013 For The Ministry Of Education, Afghanistan: Source Version - English, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Monitoring Trends in Educational Growth (MTEG)

This school context questionnaire for year 6 principals in Afghanistan, is produced by ACER’s Monitoring Trends in Educational Growth (MTEG) service. The questionnaire covers questions about the principal and his/her school.

Monitoring Trends In Educational Growth Class 6 School Principal Questionnaire Prepared In 2013 For The Ministry Of Education, Afghanistan : Translated Version - Pashto, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Monitoring Trends in Educational Growth (MTEG)

This school context questionnaire for year 6 principals in Afghanistan, is produced by ACER’s Monitoring Trends in Educational Growth (MTEG) service. The questionnaire covers questions about the principal and his/her school. It has been translated into the Afghani language Pashto.

Monitoring Trends In Educational Growth In Afghanistan : Class 6 2013, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Monitoring Trends in Educational Growth (MTEG)

This document is a brief summary of the reading, writing and mathematical proficiency of year 6 students from Afghanistan who took part in the Monitoring Trends in Educational Growth (MTEG) study.

Monitoring Trends In Educational Growth Class 6 Student Questionnaire Prepared In 2013 For The Ministry Of Education, Afghanistan : Translated Version - Dari, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Monitoring Trends in Educational Growth (MTEG)

This student context questionnaire for year 6 students in Afghanistan, is a product of ACER’s Monitoring Trends in Educational Growth (MTEG) service. The questionnaire covers questions about the student, his/her family, schooling and interests. It has been translated into the Afghani language of Dari.

Research Into The Financing Of Technical And Vocational Education And Training (Tvet) In The Pacific : Fiji : Country Report, Leo Maglen, Mark Weston Wall, Manaini Rokovunisei

Vocational, adult and professional education research

This study provides a detailed analysis of the financing of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Fiji. The study team commenced its field investigations in August 2013 and completed them in October 2013. The Fijian Country Study Report into the Financing of TVET forms part of a region-wide program Research into the Financing of TVET in the Pacific, initiated under Australia’s international development assistance program in 2011. The aims of the program, as identified by its Research Brief, are to produce, in conjunction with host country governments and TVET stakeholders, a comprehensive empirical analysis of the existing …

Research Into The Financing Of Technical And Vocational Education And Training (Tvet) In The Pacific : Kiribati : Country Report, Prabir Majumdar, Teweiariki Teaero

Vocational, adult and professional education research

This report provides a detailed analysis of the financing of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Kiribati. The Kiribati report forms part of the study Research into the Financing of TVET in the Pacific that was launched through Australia’s aid program in April 2012. Kiribati is one of seven countries taking part in the research. The study aims to produce, in conjunction with host country governments and TVET stakeholders, a comprehensive empirical analysis of the existing systems for financing TVET in each of the participating countries, identify key financing issues within the region, and the policy implications they …

Research Into The Financing Of Technical And Vocational Education And Training (Tvet) In The Pacific : Papua New Guinea : Country Report, Robert Horne, Ken Ngangan, Simaima Tavil-Melachon, Justin Brown

Vocational, adult and professional education research

This report provides a detailed analysis of the financing of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The report is part of the study Research into the Financing of TVET in the Pacific initiated through Australia’s aid program in 2012. As well as PNG, the overall study involves six other Pacific countries; Fiji; Kiribati; Samoa; Solomon Islands; Tonga; and Vanuatu. The overall study team developed a general framework and set of data collection instruments to guide the work. Individual country teams adapted the general framework and instruments to meet national circumstances. PNG is by far …

Research Into The Financing Of Technical And Vocational Education And Training (Tvet) In The Pacific : Solomon Islands : Country Report, Andrea Bateman, Elizabeth Cassity, Judy Fangalasuu

Vocational, adult and professional education research

This report provides a detailed analysis of the financing of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Solomon Islands. The report forms part of the study Research into the Financing of TVET in the Pacific initiated through Australia’s aid program in 2012. The study aims to produce, in conjunction with host country governments and TVET stakeholders, a comprehensive empirical analysis of the systems for financing TVET in seven Pacific countries (Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu), identify key financing issues, and identify directions through which future financing for TVET could be made more efficient …

Research Into The Financing Of Technical And Vocational Education And Training (Tvet) In The Pacific : Vanuatu : Country Report, Acer

Vocational, adult and professional education research

This report provides a detailed analysis of the financing of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Vanuatu. It forms part of the study Research into the Financing of TVET in the Pacific initiated through Australia’s aid program in consultation with governments in the Pacific region. Vanuatu was one of seven countries taking part in the research. (The other participating countries are Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga.) The study is intended to provide a detailed empirical analysis of TVET financing in each country, identify key TVET financing issues, and discuss directions through which future …

Research Into The Financing Of Technical And Vocational Education And Training (Tvet) In The Pacific : Tonga : Country Report, Andrea Bateman, Justin Brown, Meleoni Uera

Vocational, adult and professional education research

This report provides a detailed analysis of the financing of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Tonga. The report forms part of the study Research into the Financing of TVET in the Pacific initiated through Australia’s aid program in 2012. The study aims to produce, in conjunction with host country governments and TVET stakeholders, a comprehensive empirical analysis of the existing systems for financing TVET in seven Pacific countries (Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu), identify key financing issues within the region, and identify directions through which future financing for TVET could be …

Investing In Teachers, Australian Department Of Foreign Affairs And Trade Office Of Development Effectiveness, Adeola Capel, Hilary Hollingsworth, Elizabeth Kleinhenz, Alison Lonsdale, Yung Nietschke, Rachel Parker, Kate Reid, Jeaniene Spink, Mollie Tobin, Mary Fearnley-Sander, Jacinta Overs

Initial Teacher education

This evaluation compares evidence from the literature with Australia’s experience in supporting teacher development in a range of developing countries. It uses case studies to good effect in explaining choices made, the extent to which expectations were or were not met, and the lessons for future Australian assistance for teacher development. The evaluation found mixed results. In cooperation with governments and other donors, Australia has made positive contributions, such as improving teacher frameworks and curriculums, and training teachers through a range of interventions. However, there is room to improve—for example, in enhancing policy, strengthening analysis and negotiating new investments—so teacher …

Research Into The Financing Of Technical And Vocational Education And Training (Tvet) In The Pacific : Samoa : Country Report, Leo Maglen, Justin Brown, Sala Perive T. Lene

Vocational, adult and professional education research

The Samoa Country Study Report into the Financing of TVET forms part of a regionwide program Research into the Financing of TVET in the Pacific initiated by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) in 2011. The study team for Samoa commenced its field investigations in July 2012 and completed them in September 2012. 2. The aims of the program, as identified by its Research Brief, are to produce, in conjunction with host country governments and TVET stakeholders, a comprehensive empirical analysis of the existing systems for financing TVET in seven Pacific countries (Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, …

Informing Policy In Developing Countries, Petra Lietz, Mollie Tobin

International Developments

Petra Lietz and Mollie Tobin discuss the impact of large-scale assessment programs on education policy in developing countries.

International Developments (No.4) 2014

International Developments

Table of contents for this issue: (a) Supporting educational progress for all learners; (b) Student assessments in India; (c) Pacific; (d) Educational progress for all; (e) Informing policy in developing countries; (f) Building connections in South East Asia; (g) Improving learning in China; (h) Current international projects.

Regional Focus : Africa, Rachel Outhred

International Developments

Significant work on evaluation and assessment aimed at addressing equity and educational quality in Africa is being undertaken by researchers at ACER.