This presentation by Professor Kathryn Moyle at Timor-Leste conference: Finding Pathways in Education. provides an overview of the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), insights into some of the work ACER undertakes in teacher education and information about work ACER is undertaking in Timor Leste

1. Finding Pathways in Education
~ research, leadership and
learning~
Dili ~ Timor Leste
13 - 14th July, 2015
Kathryn Moyle
kathryn.moyle@acer.edu.au

2. Overview
Provide
• an overview of the Australian Council for
Educational Research (ACER)
• insights into some of the work ACER
undertakes in teacher education
• information about some of the work ACER
is undertaking in Timor Leste

3. ACER has 380 staff in offices throughout
Australia and overseas

4. Australian Council for Educational
Research
ACER’s mission
to create and promote
knowledge and tools
that can be used to
improve learning
Expertise in
• research into teacher education
• professional development and
quality
• leadership in schools
• school improvement
• ICT in schools
• national and international surveys
• testing and monitoring
• assessment and reporting
• sampling
• surveys
• assessments
• data collection and psychometrics
• data analysis

5. Australian Council for Educational
Research
Education Monitoring and Research
Education Policy and Practice
Indigenous evaluation
Teaching, learning and leadership
Program evaluation
Tertiary education

6. Finding Pathways in Education
Education Policy and Practice Group works to
• Undertake policy research to inform practice
• Conduct research about 21st century capabilities
of teachers and students
• Undertake commissioned evaluations
• Support improvement in schools, and of
principals and teachers
• Develop educational leadership
• Support improvements in teaching and learning
with technologies

7. Centre for Education Policy and
Practice
Policy Insights
1. Is school reform working?
[Prof Geoff Masters]
http://research.acer.edu.au/policyinsights/1/
2. The teacher workforce in Australia: Supply,
demand and data issues
[Dr Paul Weldon]
http://research.acer.edu.au/policyinsights/2/
3. Australian students in a digital world
[Dr Sue Thomson]
http://research.acer.edu.au/policyinsights/3/

8. Examples of ACER’s work in teacher
education
• Literature review for Teacher Education Ministerial
Advisory Group
• National School Improvement Tool
• Teacher Absenteeism in Indonesia
• Coaching and mentoring for school improvement
• Evaluation of Principal Preparation Program in
Indonesia
• Evaluation of ICT in Papua

9. Teacher Education Ministerial
Advisory Group literature review
• identified best practice principles for
the design, delivery and assessment
of teacher education programs; and
• articulated the features of teacher
education programs that most
effectively support successful
transition to effective practice

10. Features of teacher education programs
that support successful transition to
effective practice
According to the international literature, best
practice transition and induction programs:
• are guided by professional standards generated by
the profession
• involve mentoring where mentors are carefully
selected for their expertise and receive ongoing
training
• include classroom-based learning opportunities for
new teachers
• provide continuing professional development
• are supported through the provision of resources

11. National School Improvement
Tool
Grounded in international research
Nine domains
Focus on whole school improvement in teaching and
learning
Schools that produce good outcomes have features in
common:
• Explicit improvement agenda pursued over time
• Staff of the school work together as a team
• The learning needs of students are identified, understood
and addressed using available human and physical
resources
• The school builds relationships with parents and others to
support its improvement agenda

12. Australia’s approach to teaching
standards and professional
growth
Four career stages for teachers that represent increasing
levels of knowledge, practice and professional
engagement
• Graduate
• Proficient
• Highly accomplished
• Lead
http://www.aitsl.edu.au/australian-professional-standards-for-

13. Australian Professional
Standards for Teachers
The objective of these standards is to promote excellence so that
teachers have the maximum impact on student learning in all Australian
schools
1. Know students and how they learn
2. Know the content and how to teach it
3. Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning
4. Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments
5. Assess, provide feedback and report on student learning
6. Engage in professional learning
7. Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and the
community
http://www.aitsl.edu.au/australian-professional-standards-for-

14. Australian Professional
Standard for Principals
The Standard provides a model against which principals
can match their knowledge, qualities, experiences and
skills to determine their strengths and areas for
development
1. Leading teaching and learning
2. Developing self and others
3. Leading improvement, innovation and change
4. Leading the management of the school
5. Engaging and working with the community
http://www.aitsl.edu.au/docs/default-source/school-leadership/australian-

15. Using technologies

16. Using technologies

17. Using technologies

18. Using technologies

19. ACER in Timor Leste
UNICEF
• To provide advice on the long-term mentoring
program of support for the Ministry of Education
at the school level for the implementation of the
new curriculum
• To provide analytical, technical and comparative
advice on school-based teacher mentoring
programs used in low and / or middle income
countries.

20. ACER in Timor Leste
Memorandum of Understanding
Universitas Nusa Cendana in Indonesian West
Timor
Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa'e in Timor
Leste
A partnership to
• Share research data
• Build capacity