Research Projects

Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes - Lao PDR

Joint Venture between ACER and the Department of Education Victoria funded by World Bank and the Swiss Government

Project Director: Mr Graeme Withers

The Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes Project (ASLO) commenced as a 12-month project for the Lao People's Democratic Republic Government with two major areas of interest: Light Sample Monitoring of the Outcomes of Curriculum Delivery and National Examinations. The World Bank mission has recommended a 12-month extension (to 30 June 2000) because of the progress made and the high satisfaction with the outcomes so far.

The objectives of this project are to:

  1. Train those who are to have responsibility for monitoring the education system in the design, preparation, trial and analysis of monitoring tests;
  2. Provide advice on sample design for monitoring;
  3. Provide advice on implementation and subsequent analysis;
  4. Facilitate the review of educational policies on the basis of reliable data and research.
  5. Provide advice on the infrastructure to support the efficient and secure handling and administration of the national examinations;
  6. Provide advice on strategies to improve the quality of the examination papers and marking processes of the grade 11 examinations;
  7. Facilitate the review and development of examinations and other educational policies on the basis of reliable data and research.

The team of 7 project consultants is assisting the members of the Planning Division, the National Research Institute for Educational Sciences, and the Department of General Education Examination Unit of the Lao Ministry of Education. The tasks include developing monitoring tests, implementing an annual monitoring appraisal of the education system, and reviewing the national examination system and associated examination papers.

The team is providing training programs in which the consultants assist Ministry staff of the Planning Division, the National Research Institute for Educational Sciences, and the Department of General Education (including the Examinations Unit) with various monitoring and examining functions.

Staff: Professor John Izard, Mr George Morgan, Mr Graeme Withers, Mr Doug McCurry, Dr Trevor Johnson, Mr Peter Jeffery (Swinburne University of Technology). [The Victorian Department of Education provides one teacher (Mr Pomma Chantachak).]

Funding: Contract with Victorian Education Department for Lao PDR for World Bank and Swiss Government