Australia is participating in the OECD Review on Evaluation and Assessment Frameworks for Improving School Outcomes.
The Review aims to explore how evaluation and assessment systems can be used to improve the quality, equity and efficiency of school education and will provide analysis and policy advice to countries on how assessment and evaluation policies can work together more effectively to improve student outcomes in primary and secondary schools. The Review covers student assessment, system evaluation, school assessment, teacher appraisal and may also include other elements such as the evaluation of a program or a policy.
Further information about the OECD Review on Evaluation and Assessment Frameworks for Improving School Outcomes can be found on the project’s website.
Country Background Report
Countries participating in the Review are required to submit a Country Background Report to the OECD which takes stock of existing evaluation and assessment policies and practices. The Country Background Reports provide in-depth analysis of context, key factors and the policy background of assessment and evaluation in individual countries. The OECD has provided extensive guidelines for the Country Background Reports.
Australia’s Country Background Report was prepared by DEEWR with the assistance of state and territory departments of education, the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) and the Independent Schools Council of Australia (ISCA).
OECD Reviews of Evaluation and Assessment in Education: Australia
As part of the Review, a team from the OECD visited Australia from 21- 30 June 2010 with the view to analyse evaluation and assessment policies in Australia from an international perspective and provide recommendations for forward policy.
The review team visited a number of states and territories and held meetings with a wide range of stakeholders across the country, including representatives from Education Departments, educational research organisations, education unions, business and industry groups, national and jurisdictional education agencies and teacher, parent and principal groups.
Following the Country Visit and information provided in Australia’s Country Background Report, the Review Team has made their final conclusions in the OECD Reviews of Evaluation and Assessment in Education: Australia report. This report provides, from an international perspective, an independent analysis of major issues facing the evaluation and assessment framework in Australia, current policy initiatives, and possible future approaches.
The report serves three purposes:
- provide insights and advice to the Australian education authorities;
- help other OECD countries understand the Australian approach to evaluation and assessment; and
- provide input for the final comparative report of the project to be published in 2012.
The OECD’s report on Australia is available in PDF format from the OECD website.