Assessing the effectiveness of early childhood education and care (ECEC) programs in Australian communities. The focus of this study is optimising early learning and social experiences and establishing positive life trajectories for Australia's children. This addresses the National Research Priority, A healthy start to life, and aligns with the National Productivity Agenda. The study provides evidence about the effectiveness of ECEC programs in diverse Australian communities and examines the con ....Assessing the effectiveness of early childhood education and care (ECEC) programs in Australian communities. The focus of this study is optimising early learning and social experiences and establishing positive life trajectories for Australia's children. This addresses the National Research Priority, A healthy start to life, and aligns with the National Productivity Agenda. The study provides evidence about the effectiveness of ECEC programs in diverse Australian communities and examines the contribution of different ECEC provision to children's attainments at school entry through to the first national testing at age 8. Measured outcomes address the COAG productivity agenda to include health, social inclusion and education. Findings will inform theory internationally and policy, investment and ECEC practices in AustraliaRead moreRead less
Profiling developmental standards of learning for students with intellectual disabilities. This project addresses an area of educational assessment that has been traditionally neglected as 'too hard'. It offers hope to students with intellectual disabilities. If developmental progress can be mapped and identified in competency terms and linked to successful teaching and learning strategies, the students can be expected to make more rapid progress towards achieving their potential. Teachers in ma ....Profiling developmental standards of learning for students with intellectual disabilities. This project addresses an area of educational assessment that has been traditionally neglected as 'too hard'. It offers hope to students with intellectual disabilities. If developmental progress can be mapped and identified in competency terms and linked to successful teaching and learning strategies, the students can be expected to make more rapid progress towards achieving their potential. Teachers in mainstream schools can also expect to be helped in recognising development and given advice for intervention. The materials will be made available world wide to help all students in this challenging area.Read moreRead less
Modelling person and item parameters of computer administered problem solving strategies. The project extends previous SPIRT research, which modelled problem-solving in paper-and-pencil administered tasks, by examining the person and item parameters when problems are computer administered. The implications for computer administered problem design and teacher intervention will be explored and used to develop instructional packages that extend the materials produced for teachers in the initial SPI ....Modelling person and item parameters of computer administered problem solving strategies. The project extends previous SPIRT research, which modelled problem-solving in paper-and-pencil administered tasks, by examining the person and item parameters when problems are computer administered. The implications for computer administered problem design and teacher intervention will be explored and used to develop instructional packages that extend the materials produced for teachers in the initial SPIRT study.Read moreRead less
Implementation and Evaluation of an Intensive Music Education Program for Schoolchildren. Music training is vital for schoolchildren. Children achieve goal-satisfaction and enhanced coordination from sport, focus and independence from schoolwork, and the opportunity to express emotions productively via dance/drama. Music training is unique in that it combines these benefits, and can lead to improvement in non-musical outcomes (e.g., maths, self-esteem), while potentially reaching otherwise dise ....Implementation and Evaluation of an Intensive Music Education Program for Schoolchildren. Music training is vital for schoolchildren. Children achieve goal-satisfaction and enhanced coordination from sport, focus and independence from schoolwork, and the opportunity to express emotions productively via dance/drama. Music training is unique in that it combines these benefits, and can lead to improvement in non-musical outcomes (e.g., maths, self-esteem), while potentially reaching otherwise disenfranchised adolescent groups. Music training programs in Australia vary in quality and effectiveness, and unfortunately, under-resourced communities offer little. The proposed music program will be offered to all students within selected schools, and will provide information on the value of music in the Australian school curriculum. Read moreRead less
Scaffolding numeracy in the middle years: an investigation of a new assessment-guided approach to teaching mathematics using authentic assessment tasks. The project will investigate the efficacy of a new assessment-guided approach to improving student numeracy outcomes in Years 4 to 8. The project adds to existing knowledge through the development of a learning and assessment framework for multiplicative thinking and rational number in a form and language accessible to teachers. The project is i ....Scaffolding numeracy in the middle years: an investigation of a new assessment-guided approach to teaching mathematics using authentic assessment tasks. The project will investigate the efficacy of a new assessment-guided approach to improving student numeracy outcomes in Years 4 to 8. The project adds to existing knowledge through the development of a learning and assessment framework for multiplicative thinking and rational number in a form and language accessible to teachers. The project is innovative in that it will develop and use authentic assessment tasks, as opposed to written tests or individual interviews, to identify learner's needs in terms of the framework and inform subsequent teaching. This represents a significant contribution to the Commonwealth's goal of improving numeracy outcomes for all.Read moreRead less
The expanded role of the community mental health nurse: perspectives of health care professionals, consumers and carers. This study will examine the expanded practice role of community mental health nurses in metropolitan, rural and remote community environments from the perspective of multiple stakeholders. The aims are to gain an understanding of current and potential roles of community mental health nurses, to develop, implement and evaluate an educational program that addresses identified k ....The expanded role of the community mental health nurse: perspectives of health care professionals, consumers and carers. This study will examine the expanded practice role of community mental health nurses in metropolitan, rural and remote community environments from the perspective of multiple stakeholders. The aims are to gain an understanding of current and potential roles of community mental health nurses, to develop, implement and evaluate an educational program that addresses identified knowledge deficits; and develop best practice guidelines that define the scope and boundaries of their role. The study, which emphasises the specific needs of community mental health nurses employed in different geographical environments, will contribute to ensuring a high standard of care for people experiencing a mental illness.Read moreRead less
Cognitive, behavioural and educational outcomes of fetal antiepileptic drug exposure. The study falls within the National Research Priority of Promoting and Maintaining Good Health, in particular the Priority Goal - A Healthy Start to Life. The research will yield information crucial to our understanding of the effects of fetal AED exposure on cognitive and behavioural development in the significant number of affected Australian children born each year. It will enhance the nation's ability to de ....Cognitive, behavioural and educational outcomes of fetal antiepileptic drug exposure. The study falls within the National Research Priority of Promoting and Maintaining Good Health, in particular the Priority Goal - A Healthy Start to Life. The research will yield information crucial to our understanding of the effects of fetal AED exposure on cognitive and behavioural development in the significant number of affected Australian children born each year. It will enhance the nation's ability to develop strategies for prevention, surveillance and remediation of adverse outcomes in early childhood, thus supporting the Government's National Agenda for Early Childhood initiative. As a consequence educational assistance can be targeted for those children likely to experience difficulties. Read moreRead less
The influence of evidence-based decisions by collaborative teacher teams on student achievement. National testing and concerns about literacy and numeracy skills as enabling competencies for learning have had a central focus for decades. Recent studies by Griffin and Care have established large gains in student reading comprehension in an uncontrolled study of years 3 to 6 in primary schools. This study seeks to determine if the process can be manipulated, scaled up and applied in a sustainable ....The influence of evidence-based decisions by collaborative teacher teams on student achievement. National testing and concerns about literacy and numeracy skills as enabling competencies for learning have had a central focus for decades. Recent studies by Griffin and Care have established large gains in student reading comprehension in an uncontrolled study of years 3 to 6 in primary schools. This study seeks to determine if the process can be manipulated, scaled up and applied in a sustainable manner across a larger number of year levels, systems of education, and subject areas.Read moreRead less
Learning outcomes in mathematics and science classrooms in Australia, Finland and China: Interrogating the alignment of curriculum, instruction and assessment. Our capacity to promote effective instruction depends upon our ability to recognize and assess useful knowing and to identify the instructional practices through which such knowing is engendered. International achievement tests are impacting educational policy in Australia, with significant attention on top-performing Finland and the cons ....Learning outcomes in mathematics and science classrooms in Australia, Finland and China: Interrogating the alignment of curriculum, instruction and assessment. Our capacity to promote effective instruction depends upon our ability to recognize and assess useful knowing and to identify the instructional practices through which such knowing is engendered. International achievement tests are impacting educational policy in Australia, with significant attention on top-performing Finland and the consistent success of Asian classrooms. Recent research has raised concerns about what forms of knowing (i) find their expression in student test performance, or (ii) remain unrevealed by most available forms of testing (particularly international testing). This project looks closely at classroom practices and learning outcomes in China, Finland and Australia to provide new guidance on these issues.Read moreRead less
Using Data for School Change: Improving Literacy Achievement In Secondary Schools. Highly effective schools and improved outcomes for all students are key objectives of the Australian Government. A central equity issue and key goal is to improve outcomes of Australia's most educationally disadvantaged students, including those with disabilities and others who are at risk of not achieving national benchmarks of literacy. The proposed project has the potential to make a strong contribution to nati ....Using Data for School Change: Improving Literacy Achievement In Secondary Schools. Highly effective schools and improved outcomes for all students are key objectives of the Australian Government. A central equity issue and key goal is to improve outcomes of Australia's most educationally disadvantaged students, including those with disabilities and others who are at risk of not achieving national benchmarks of literacy. The proposed project has the potential to make a strong contribution to national benefits by developing a model for improving literacy achievement and by providing new data on the future likely requirements of 21st century educational systems and schools which will play a leading role in promoting Australia's educational standards and priorities.Read moreRead less