Topics for Expert Comment
The Australian Council for Educational Research is one of the world's leading educational research centres, committed to creating and distributing research-based knowledge, products and services to improve learning across the lifespan in both formal and informal settings.
ACER researchers bring many years of experience to their projects, and skills in a range of disciplines and research methods. ACER is able to provide spokespeople who are widely recognised as experts in their fields to provide commentary for journalists on a wide range of educational issues including those listed below.
Assessment and Reporting
ACER conducts research into, and develops methods to assess and report, a wide range of educational outcomes and psychological attributes. This work, undertaken for clients and in support of ACER's own tests and assessment programs, includes studies of test validity, assessment methods and formats, psychometric analyses of test data, and methods for item banking and online test delivery.
Boys' education
ACER researchers have contributed extensively to the debate in Australia on trends in educational outcomes, teaching approaches that appear to be effective and programs that have been developed to enhance educational outcomes for boys.
Civics and citizenship education
ACER was involved in the IEA Civics Education Study that aimed to compare different concepts, areas of interest, and knowledge in the field of civic education. There were 29 countries involved in the study, which incorporates both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Information was obtained from nationally representative samples of students about student knowledge, skills, concepts, attitudes and actions.
Early childhood education
ACER established its Early Childhood Education research program in 2003 to undertake research into young children's learning, development and care. Over time, research will address a range of issues including early childhood diversity, individual learner characteristics , 'at-risk' children and families, young children wit h physical and intellectual disabilities, children in poverty, and early intervention programs. Other issues of central interest to this program are family day care arrangements, the effectiveness and impact of childcare, the training of early childhood teachers and practitioners, families ' and children's experiences of out-of-school care, foster care, the accreditation of childcare centres, and children's experiences of transitions from child care to school. Early childhood education program has recently been moved under Learning Processes program.
Indigenous education
ACER has undertaken research that focuses on key issues related to the improvement of educational outcomes for Indigenous students.
International achievement studies
ACER manages the OECD-PISA project to assess the mathematical, scientific and reading literacy skills of 15-year-olds in 50 countries . ACER also has been responsible for the Australian component of studies conducted by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). These studies include the Trends in Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and the Civic Education Study.
Lifelong learning
ACER has conducted extensive research into strategies that schools can implement to promote lifelong learning. Past research has aimed to identify key educational concepts that can provide the foundations for lifelong learning and case studies undertaken in a number of secondary schools in South Australia and Victoria.
Literacy and numeracy
ACER has conducted extensive research into the areas of literacy and numeracy learning with the aim of identifying strategies that can be done to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes. Among the issues that have been considered are what is taught in schools; how children learn and how teachers teach.
Longitudinal studies
ACER is involved in a number of longitudinal studies that monitor the progress of cohorts of Australian children and youth over a period of time to identify trends in education and employment outcomes. Examples include the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) and the Longitudinal Literacy and Numeracy Survey (LLANS).
National and international surveys
ACER has an established reputation in large-scale survey research. Research in this area draws on staff expertise in sampling, survey management, the analysis of survey data, and the interpretation and reporting of results. Current ACER work includes the management of the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and work for the Trends in Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS).
Recruitment testing
ACER publishes and distributes ability and aptitude assessments designed to assist selection in the full range of recruitment exercises. In addition, personality profiles may be sourced through our range of personality tests and Type preference indicators. Tools and assessment measures are also available to assist in Career Planning for both children and adults.
Systemwide Testing
ACER is undertaking work to provide educational decision makers (system managers, school leaders, classroom teachers and parents) with improved information about student learning outcomes. This research is focused on identifying more effective ways of monitoring achievement across entire education systems, providing more usable school-level reports, and providing better feedback to teachers and parents.
Social outcomes of schooling
Students' academic competence is frequently measured. ACER research has investigated ways in which schools can gauge whether students make progress on less tangible qualities such as social and emotional growth, conscience and compassion.
Teaching Learning and Leadership
ACER has a special interest in the development of teachers as professionals and in the relationship between teacher learning and improved student learning. Current work includes investigations of the role of professional standards in improving teacher practice, effective forms of pre-service education and teacher professional development, and links between professional development and student learning.
Transitions from school to work
ACER research is investigating transitions among school, work, vocational education and training and higher education. This research explores influences on the educational and occupational pathways of young people as they progress from school to further education, training and work and includes studies of general influences on transition patterns as well as evaluations of particular programs and initiatives.