Recent Research Publications
Feasibility Study into Secondary Education in the Broader Sandringham Area: Summary Report
An independent and comprehensive feasibility report by CUBE Management Solutions into the sustainability and viability of secondary provision options in the Sandringham area.
Demographic Study: Sandringham College
An independent and comprehensive demographic report by Spatial Vision into the sustainability and viability of secondary provision options in the Sandringham area.
Reading to Young Children: A Head-Start in Life
The Department funded the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research to explore the connections between parents reading to their young children and their child’s later reading and other cognitive skills. The study found that reading to children at a young age has a direct effect on their schooling outcomes regardless of their family background and home environment. Reading to children at age 4-5 every day has significant positive effect on their reading skills and cognitive skills (language, literacy and numeracy) later in life.
Higher Apprenticeships Scoping Report – Victoria University
The Department commissioned Victoria University to undertake a scoping report investigating what a “higher apprenticeships” model might look like and whether there is demand for apprentices with broader or deeper skills than a traditional apprenticeship can deliver. The report found that the current system is not necessarily precluding high achievers and that motivated individuals can obtain rewarding and fulfilling trade careers, when given a head start from employers with a positive apprentice culture and support for ongoing skills acquisition. However more could be done to broaden the scope, awareness and take up of these opportunities so that they become more prevalent and potentially less limited to particular types of employers.
Learning spaces research
The Department is coordinating a research program on learning spaces to understand better the relationship between built spaces and student learning outcomes, given there is a real paucity of empirical evidence in this field. This webpage highlights recent activity and publications of relevance to schools.
Assessment in online learning environments
The third paper in the Digital Learning Platforms Research Series focuses on assessment in online learning environments. It discusses the importance of teachers providing feedback to students as well as creating situations for teachers to receive feedback on their teaching as a way of influencing learning and achievement. It discusses how the variety of technology today enables giving and receiving feedback and keeping records for reflection and review.
Research into the connection between built learning spaces and student outcomes
A literature review commissioned by the Department identifies the current state of research into the connections between learning spaces and student learning outcomes. It uses a conceptual framework of four phases (design, transition and implementation, consolidation, and sustainability/re-evaluation) to map the literature across the three domains of practitioners, learners and spaces.
Using student assessment for professional learning: focusing on students' outcomes to identify teachers’ needs
This paper outlines a ‘cycle of inquiry’ which systematically builds teacher knowledge to improve teaching practice for students and teachers. The paper shows how principles of student assessment can be applied to evaluate not only student outcomes, but also the learning needs of teachers. The inquiry cycle asks teachers to evaluate their own performance through evidence gathered in the classroom and then assess whether their current teaching practices are meeting the needs of their students. Through this process, teachers are better equipped to identify their own needs for professional learning.
Powerful learning: taking education reform to scale
This report captures how the Northern Metropolitan Region (NMR) developed an improvement model using ‘bottom-up and top-down’ approaches to improve the outcomes of all students. The paper shares what is known about high performing education systems and systemic approaches to school reform. The paper presents NMR as a case example where a concerted strategic attempt at reforms was made at scale within the broader context of system improvement policies and initiatives.