A multi-modal investigation of current and proposed structures and processes determining and sustaining quality in Australian centre-based child care. Access to good quality government-regulated child care is a national policy direction, underpinned by Australia's quality assurance and accreditation mechanisms, and based on evidence that high quality care positively affects children's developmental wellbeing. Of concern is that care of poorer quality is linked with adverse outcomes, especially f ....A multi-modal investigation of current and proposed structures and processes determining and sustaining quality in Australian centre-based child care. Access to good quality government-regulated child care is a national policy direction, underpinned by Australia's quality assurance and accreditation mechanisms, and based on evidence that high quality care positively affects children's developmental wellbeing. Of concern is that care of poorer quality is linked with adverse outcomes, especially for more vulnerable children. The effective provision of high quality care requires a thorough understanding of the structures and processes that contribute to and sustain quality outcomes. The results of this study will provide invaluable information to guide the decisions of policy makers and service providers in determining new directions in child care quality assurance.Read moreRead less
Improving approaches to wellbeing in schools: what role does recognition play? Schools play a critical role in supporting children’s social and emotional wellbeing, although the concept is not well understood. This project will explore teacher, student and policy views on wellbeing and identify new approaches that will improve outcomes for children and young people.
Young people and adversity: Stories of resourcing and resourcefulness. This project aims to explore how young people with complex needs can secure the resources they need. Despite recent investments in youth services, many young people with complex needs still struggle to secure resources. Understanding how to better resource these young people is essential if we are to improve their wellbeing and outcomes. Drawing on the life stories of disadvantaged young people, the project aims to provide ne ....Young people and adversity: Stories of resourcing and resourcefulness. This project aims to explore how young people with complex needs can secure the resources they need. Despite recent investments in youth services, many young people with complex needs still struggle to secure resources. Understanding how to better resource these young people is essential if we are to improve their wellbeing and outcomes. Drawing on the life stories of disadvantaged young people, the project aims to provide new evidence on the way they understand, approach, and use formal and informal resources in the context of changing circumstances. This evidence is designed to drive the development of services that are responsive to young people’s needs, cultivate their capacities for resourcefulness, and complement the other resources they have available.Read moreRead less
Socially Responsible Indicators for Policy, Practice and Benchmarking in Service Organisations. The Australian Government, while attempting to limit the spiralling costs of the welfare state, has encouraged market principles and practices in service organisations. This has raised value dilemmas and administrative tensions for education and welfare organisations who, while committed to social justice and social responsibility, have to operate efficiently and effectively. This research aims, thr ....Socially Responsible Indicators for Policy, Practice and Benchmarking in Service Organisations. The Australian Government, while attempting to limit the spiralling costs of the welfare state, has encouraged market principles and practices in service organisations. This has raised value dilemmas and administrative tensions for education and welfare organisations who, while committed to social justice and social responsibility, have to operate efficiently and effectively. This research aims, through the identification and analysis of tensions between social and economic value orientations in the workplace, to develop a values framework and key socially responsible indicators for the improvement of policy, decision making and practice within the Industry Partners and the wider service sectors.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100460
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$368,000.00
Summary
Accountability and global education policy networks in the Indo-Pacific. This project aims to investigate how contemporary education reforms unfold in low-income contexts through contrasting assessment approaches in Bangladesh and Cambodia, Australia’s Indo-Pacific aid partner nations. Globally, 250 million children cannot read or count, and inequities are increasing. In response, global policy networks are investing in assessment and accountability measures to improve outcomes. This study aims ....Accountability and global education policy networks in the Indo-Pacific. This project aims to investigate how contemporary education reforms unfold in low-income contexts through contrasting assessment approaches in Bangladesh and Cambodia, Australia’s Indo-Pacific aid partner nations. Globally, 250 million children cannot read or count, and inequities are increasing. In response, global policy networks are investing in assessment and accountability measures to improve outcomes. This study aims to understand policy relevant to these reform efforts, contributing to Australia’s strategic goal of improving education in the Indo-Pacific. The expected outcome is the development of principles for sustainable, participatory accountability practices with wide relevance in social policy.Read moreRead less
Federalism in Australian schooling: Its impact upon quality and equity. The project is designed to support the objectives for schooling in Australia that have been identified by the Council of Australian Governments. These objectives are in the face of growing inequities in the distribution of educational resources, growing concentrations of students with high levels of educational needs, and imbalances in the distribution of resources across key stages, especially in early childhood education. ....Federalism in Australian schooling: Its impact upon quality and equity. The project is designed to support the objectives for schooling in Australia that have been identified by the Council of Australian Governments. These objectives are in the face of growing inequities in the distribution of educational resources, growing concentrations of students with high levels of educational needs, and imbalances in the distribution of resources across key stages, especially in early childhood education. By examining the ways in which federalism contributes to the structural barriers to these objectives and by developing and validating a set of structural reforms the project will contribute to these national objectives. Read moreRead less
Education policy, mobility and Artificial Intelligence. This project aims to contribute to emerging responses to the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into education. Artificial Intelligence is an increasingly common part of contemporary life, but AI is being introduced into education systems and schools much faster than research on its effects and guidelines on its use. This project will investigate how the use of AI creates new governance connections between education systems and te ....Education policy, mobility and Artificial Intelligence. This project aims to contribute to emerging responses to the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into education. Artificial Intelligence is an increasingly common part of contemporary life, but AI is being introduced into education systems and schools much faster than research on its effects and guidelines on its use. This project will investigate how the use of AI creates new governance connections between education systems and technology companies. The project expects to provide scholars, industry and end-users with knowledge about the opportunities and risks of AI in education.
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Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190101141
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$340,383.00
Summary
Globalising school reform through online teacher professional learning. This project aims to explore how new online modes of professional learning can inform professional knowledge and practice in teaching. The project will examine how international forms of evidence and expertise, and emergent private policy networks, are reshaping teacher knowledge, learning and practice in Australia and the United States of America. Through interviews, Internet and social media searches and document analysis, ....Globalising school reform through online teacher professional learning. This project aims to explore how new online modes of professional learning can inform professional knowledge and practice in teaching. The project will examine how international forms of evidence and expertise, and emergent private policy networks, are reshaping teacher knowledge, learning and practice in Australia and the United States of America. Through interviews, Internet and social media searches and document analysis, the project will highlight the changing nature of evidence-informed solutions, and create opportunities for teachers and policymakers to learn how to use professional learning and evidence to influence local schooling practices. The project will enhance teacher professional learning on student learning outcomes, as well as potentially improve the cost-effectiveness of delivering professional development programs for teachers.Read moreRead less
The Kids in Communities Study: national investigation of community level effects on children's developmental outcomes. This project (a cross-disciplinary collaboration) will investigate community level factors influencing early childhood developmental outcomes using a mixed methods approach in up to 10 communities across Australia. This will result in a potential set of measures or indicators that reflect communities that are good for children.
School Exclusionary Policies and Practices and their Impact. This project aims to investigate how and why Australian schools use exclusionary practices to manage disorderly students. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of school discipline about the extent and impact of these practices. It will provide a detailed analysis of the political, legislative and policy frameworks that impact on exclusion rates. Expected outcomes of this project include alternative policy and prac ....School Exclusionary Policies and Practices and their Impact. This project aims to investigate how and why Australian schools use exclusionary practices to manage disorderly students. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of school discipline about the extent and impact of these practices. It will provide a detailed analysis of the political, legislative and policy frameworks that impact on exclusion rates. Expected outcomes of this project include alternative policy and practice recommendations for legislatures and education systems. This should provide significant benefits, such as reducing youth alienation from schooling; creating inclusive schools; reducing the financial burden of exclusion on individuals and governments; and improving the health and wellbeing of young people.Read moreRead less