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We study whether autonomous schools, which are publicly funded but can operate more independently than government-run schools, affect student achievement and school segregation across 15 countries over 16 years. Our triple-differences regressions exploit between-grade variation in the share of students attending autonomous schools within a given country and year. While autonomous schools do not affect overall achievement, effects are positive for high-socioeconomic status students and negative for immigrants. Impacts on segregation mirror these findings, with evidence of increased segregation by socioeconomic and immigrant status. Rather than creating "a rising tide that lifts all boats," autonomous schools increase inequality

Calls for increased monitoring and evaluation of education policies and practices have not, so far, included widespread and consistent assessments of the inclusiveness of education settings. Measuring inclusion in education has proven to be a challenging exercise, due not only to the complexity and different uses of the concept, but also to its holistic nature. Indeed, measuring inclusion implies analysing a variety of policy areas within education systems, while also considering the different roles of the system, the school and the classroom. This paper discusses the application of the input-process-outcome model to the measurement of inclusion in education, and key indicators that can be adopted by education systems and schools to this end. It makes considerations relevant to policy makers when designing indicators to measure inclusion, such as the extent of their application, the constraints related to data disaggregation and the relevance of intersectional approaches to inclusion.

Principals (policy makers) have debated the progress in U.S. student performance for a half century or more. Informing these conversations, survey agents have administered seven million psychometrically linked tests in math and reading in 160 waves to national probability samples of selected cohorts born between 1954 and 2007. This study is the first to assess consistency of results by agency. We find results vary by agent, but consistent with Flynn effects, gains are larger in math than reading, except for the most recent period. Non-whites progress at a faster pace. Socio-economically disadvantaged white, black, and Hispanic students make greater progress when tested in elementary school, but that advantage attenuates and reverses itself as students age. We discuss potential moderators.

Indigenous peoples have rightful aspirations for their languages and cultures, supported under international conventions, jurisdictional treaties, laws, policies and enquiry recommendations. Additionally, the inclusion of Indigenous languages in education can impact positively on Indigenous students' learning, engagement, identity and well-being, and can increase involvement of their communities in education. This working paper provides an overview of Indigenous languages learning in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and Canada. These three jurisdictions participate in an OECD initiative "Promising Practices in Supporting Success for Indigenous Students," designed to help education systems to improve the experiences and outcomes of Indigenous students in education. The significance of Indigenous languages constitutes common ground between the diverse Indigenous peoples in these three countries. But learning in Indigenous languages and learning Indigenous languages follow diverse pathways with local language programme designs that fit the different historical and contemporary language contexts within and between the countries.

This systematic review investigates the relevance of general pedagogical knowledge for successful teaching. It synthesises the empirical evidence of 10 769 teaching professionals and 853 452 students from primary to tertiary education in 21 countries. The meta-analysis of 20 quantitative studies revealed significant effects for teaching quality and student outcomes (Cohen's d = 0.64 and 0.26), indicating that more knowledgeable teachers achieve a three-month additional progress for students. The three themes emerging from 31 qualitative studies underline that general pedagogical knowledge is a crucial resource for teaching. Results also show that teaching requires knowledge about a range of topics, specific skills and other competences to transform knowledge into practice. Teachers need training and practical experience to acquire knowledge, which they apply according to the pedagogical situation at hand. The results allow for important conclusions for policy, practice and research.

Resilience refers to the capacity of individuals to prosper despite encountering adverse circumstances. This paper defines academic resilience as the ability of 15-year-old students from disadvantaged backgrounds to perform at a certain level in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in reading, mathematics and science that enables them to play an active role in their communities and prepares them to make the most of lifelong-learning opportunities. Using data from the most recent PISA cycles, this paper explores changes in the share of resilient students over time (2006-2015); highlights the importance of school environments and resources in mitigating the risk of low achievement for disadvantaged students; and identifies school-level factors that are associated with the likelihood of academic resilience among socio-economically disadvantaged students. Analyses reveal that several countries were able to increase the share of resilient students over time, reflecting improvements in the average performance of students, or a weaker relationship between socio-economic status and performance. In the vast majority of education systems examined, the likelihood of academic resilience among disadvantaged students is lower in schools where students report a negative classroom climate. The paper concludes by exploring school policies and practices that are associated with a positive classroom climate. [This work was supported by a contribution to the PISA programme of work from Vodafone Germany Foundation.]

In 2005, the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) produced a statistical compendium examining vocational education and training (VET) students with a disability as a whole group; it also compared different disability groups, focusing on their participation levels, achievements and outcomes from VET in 2003 (Cavallaro et al. 2005). The report found that, on the whole, educational achievements and outcomes from VET are relatively poor for students reporting a disability, but there is considerable variability between types of disability. In addition, educational achievement prior to commencing VET was found to have some bearing on students' results in VET. Generally, students reporting a disability in VET have lower prior education and poorer outcomes from VET than all other VET students. This implies that the poor educational performance of students reporting a disability may be due to their educationally disadvantaged position rather than their disability. The present paper seeks to highlight the direct effect of the disability by controlling for the background characteristics (notably educational background, but also age, level of study and field of study) in a simple statistical model. Findings indicate that the direct effect of the disability differs between groups, and is highest for those with a mental illness, a medical condition or a physical disability. Appended are: (1) Regression Results; (2) Average Values of Independent Variables in Calculation of Adjusted Module Completion Rate; and (3) Decomposing Module Completion Rates. (Contains 4 tables and 2 footnotes.) [This work has been produced by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) as a joint initiative of the Australian Government and state and territory governments, with funding provided through the Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.]

A study examined the profiles of vocational education and training (VET) clients in disadvantaged areas of Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, building on earlier analysis of VET participation in those cities. The study examined the characteristics of VET clients coming from postal codes identified as disadvantaged to determine, if possible, to what extent high levels of participation are accompanied by comparable achievement, judged by appropriate measures such as level of course and module outcomes. Information was gathered from earlier studies and by mapping VET client data for postal codes in Sydney and Melbourne. The study confirmed earlier findings that the most disadvantaged areas of both cities have the highest numbers of TAFE (Technical and Further Education) participants. The relationship between disadvantage and participation is apparent mainly at the extremes of the most disadvantaged and most advantaged postal codes. A different map could be created by mapping another criterion of disadvantage, such as economic resource, because some lower income people have higher education levels. The study supports the contention that VET policy should give greater attention to addressing equity issues in disadvantaged urban regions because this is where large numbers of people do participate in VET. (Contains 16 references, 6 tables, and 5 figures.) (KC)

Indexes of socioeconomic status (SES) are widely used in school and higher education because of the known relationship of low educational participation and achievement by socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Because an index of SES can predict which areas and social groups need to be "targeted" to improve educational participation, this methodology assumes that disadvantage is concentrated in particular localities. Some analysis of "area" disadvantage is an essential step in determining what policies can be effective in countering the effects of socioeconomic disadvantage on post-school participation, especially vocational and technical (VET) education. However, SES is one among several useful dimensions, including the characteristics of "equity groups" and the particular strategies that are known to be effective in addressing VET needs. An approach can be taken where SEIFA indexes (Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas) are used to identify those localities in Australia where large areas of disadvantaged people live. The rationale for using such indexes springs not only from their widespread use in public policy but from the evident need to address the conceptual weakness of equity policy in the VET system. The SEIFA indexes predict areas with low achievement in education generally, but these areas are those with higher levels of VET participation and achievement. Economic factors may be more useful than educational and occupational measures to identify these potential VET clients. Further research will summarize an analysis of the application of SEIFA indexes to VET participation in disadvantaged urban regions. (Contains 15 references and 2 tables.) (KC)

Recent changes to the student profile in higher education and calls for improved graduation rates and better quality graduates have caused consternation among academics. Greater access to higher education by non-traditional groups is supported both ideologically and pragmatically. However, the disparate needs of such a student population has led to concern about the capacities of institutions and individual staff and students to meet the simultaneous calls for accountability. This paper argues for student support centers to assist transition to, and progress through, a course of study. A pedagogical stance appropriate for underpinning the operations of such a center is suggested, and the practical implications of the pedagogy are considered. Two propositions are discussed. First, initiatives which have led to the expansion of the student profile in higher education should be complemented by the provision of appropriate programs which assist students to meet the demands of study at the higher education level. Second, the approaches used by student support centers are critical for non-traditional students in linking educational access to academic success. Developing a cogent pedagogy to underpin the operations of these centers is essential, or else the services provided are likely to be ad hoc and consequently, much less efficient and effective. Contains 51 references. (Author/GLR)

This paper reviews participation patterns of migrants, refugees, and permanent residents with language backgrounds other than English (LBOTE), at Australian universities in general, and the University of Melbourne in particular. It critically examines the effectiveness of current measures designed to improve the opportunities and university experiences of LBOTE students. Finally, the educational outcomes of this target group are considered in an attempt to establish whether equity policies actually facilitate equality in the case of LBOTE university students and what indicators can be used to gauge the effects of these policies. The report has four main findings: (1) it is important not to treat LBOTE people as a single set when considering the disadvantages they may experience and to maintain disaggregated data on these groups; (2) academic difficulties are caused both by language barriers and culturally-dissonant learning styles as well as the specific social pressures faced by the target groups; (3) students have difficulty accessing specialist provisions due to an overall fragmentation of equity initiatives between institutions, and sometimes within them; and (4) there is a dearth of documentation on the outcomes experienced by the target groups. Findings show that obstacles posed by conflicts between LBOTE students' home and educational cultures and by having to develop proficiency in academic language skills and adapt to new learning styles are disadvantages to many of these students. Contains 35 references. (GLR)

As Australia recognized the need for a better educated and highly trained workforce, national attention focused on secondary and post-secondary education and vocational training, with an emphasis on the acquisition of basic, entry level work skills. Because the foundations for success at this level are laid at an early age, however, the Schools Council sought to address issues of importance to the crucial beginning years of education with a project called The Compulsory Years of Schooling. This report elaborates on some of the issues relevant to the early childhood years in schools. The paper asserts that children five to eight years of age need educational programs that have been specifically designed for them and teachers who have been trained to work with young children. Although the style of teaching throughout primary school is gradually changing, teachers are encouraged to adopt developmentally appropriate practice with their youngest children. The report also proposes that early childhood teacher training should be largely separate from the discipline-oriented primary and secondary teacher education courses, and offer narrower specialization within the early childhood range. Improvement in early childhood education also depends upon the ability of the early childhood field as a whole to find its voice and advocate for good practice in all early childhood programs. Contains approximately 95 references. (TJQ)

Higher education institutions (HEIs) have experienced increasing pressures to provide accountability data and consumer information on the quality of teaching and learning. Existing ratings and rankings of HEIs tend to neglect information on student learning outcomes. Instead, they focus on inputs, activities and research outputs, such as resources used, classes taught, and articles published. Such indicators provide no indication of the degree to which HEIs actually develop the knowledge and skills of their students. In most countries, hardly any comparable information is available on the educational quality of different programmes and institutions. In some countries, approaches to assess higher education learning outcomes have been developed, but little cross-country information is available on the characteristics of the instruments used. This paper provides an overview of experience gained in this domain across OECD and partner countries. Based on illustrative evidence collected for 18 assessment instruments, it examines conceptual, organizational and methodological aspects of existing assessments. It proposes a typology of higher education learning outcomes and reviews the ways in which these have been assessed across countries. Examples are drawn from Australia, Brazil, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States. (Contains 2 footnotes and 7 tables.)

School systems aspire to provide equal opportunity for all, irrespective of socio-economic status (SES). Much of the criticism of recent school reforms that introduce accountability, autonomy, and choice emphasizes their potentially negative consequences for equity. This report provides new evidence on how national features of accountability, autonomy, and choice are related to the equality of opportunity across countries. We estimate whether student achievement depends more or less on SES in school systems employing these institutional features. The rigorous micro-econometric analyses are based on the PISA 2003 data for more than 180,000 students from 27 OECD countries. The main empirical result is that rather than harming disadvantaged students, accountability, autonomy, and choice appear to be tides that lift all boats. The additional choice created by public funding for private schools in particular is associated with a strong reduction in the dependence of student achievement on SES. External exit exams have a strong positive effect for all students that is slightly smaller for low-SES students. The positive effect of regularly using subjective teacher ratings to assess students is substantially larger for low-SES students. The effect of many other accountability devices does not differ significantly by student SES. School autonomy in determining course content is associated with higher equality of opportunity, while equality of opportunity is lower in countries where more schools have autonomy in hiring teachers. Autonomy in formulating the budget and in establishing starting salaries is not associated with the equity of student outcomes. Inequality of opportunity is substantially higher in school systems that track students at early ages. (Contains 19 footnotes, 6 figures and 9 tables.)

This study investigates the differences in the degree of low academic achievement of third and fourth graders living with single-parent families from 11 industrialized countries. The United States ranks first among the countries compared in terms of the achievement gap for children in single- and two-parent families. After controlling for individual and family variables, the gap in the United States shrinks somewhat, but American single-parent children are still more disadvantaged than those in the other countries. Following a cross-national multilevel analysis, which includes family policy and demographic variables at the national level, the study finds single parenthood to be less detrimental where there are family policies equalizing resources between single-parent and other families, such as family or child allowances and parental leave. It also finds that single parenthood is most detrimental for academic achievement in those countries where the percentages of single-parent families are the highest. Findings suggest that policies aimed at increasing family income can offset the detrimental achievement consequences of single parenthood. (Contains 63 references.) (Author/SM)

Programed mastery learning materials on matrix algebra were studied by 59 eighth-grade boys. Both experimental and control groups were divided into high- and low-ability groups. The experimental group reviewed all three instructional units until students achieved mastery, but the control group reviewed only Unit 3. Test scores of the treatment group increased over the sequence, especially between Units 1 and 2 and Units 1 and 3. Scores of the control group decreased. High-ability students scored higher in both groups, but the difference between the three units was not influenced by ability or by a combination of treatment and ability; the treatment was equally effective for both levels of ability. There was no difference in time spent learning Unit 1 by treatment vs. control groups. The treatment group spent significantly longer learning Units 2 and 3, but review time decreased from Unit 2 to Unit 3. The control group required more time to learn Unit 3 to mastery than the treatment group. Treatment aided the learning efficiency of the low-ability students, as well as retention of the materials ten days later. (GDC)

This paper presents data and discussions based on two Australian studies of the possible educational problems suffered by children from one-parent homes. The first section describes anticipated problem areas for these children, i.e., financial burden, health problems, change in life style, and the emotional effects of disruption. Data from other countries are reviewed and demographic tables for Australia are given. The second section presents teachers' responses from the two studies, including illustrative quotes, concerning the one-parent child's educational performance, aspirations and emotional stability. The paper notes that while most teachers viewed one-parent children as the same as two-parent children in these areas, a significant minority saw them as worse. The third section describes more fully the differences that teachers perceived between these groups of children. The fourth section reports data on the one-parent family and single-parent views on such issues as child-school relationship, parent-child relationship, and labeling. The concluding section reports ongoing concerns highlighted by the two studies. A bibliography is included. (WAS)

This discussion paper examines the schooling, and in particular the post-secondary educational performance and transition to work, of the ethnic minority communities in Australia. The first section gives a background on immigrants, education, and equity. Section 2 discusses patterns of immigration to Australia and the overall usefulness of research in this area. The next three sections discuss how immigrant groups approach schooling or post-secondary education, how schools or post-secondary institutions respond to immigrant groups, and how well immigrant groups achieve in the education they receive. In the context of the first topic, educational aspirations, motivations, and attitudes are considered and the relationship between multiculturalism and educational disadvantage is examined. The paper considers possible contributions that the education system can make to fostering social or cultural inequalities and examines the link between schooling, post-school opportunities, and aspects of curriculum structure and content. The final topic considers the distinction between educational attainment or retentivity and educational performance. A separate section is devoted to the issue of the transition to work, with consideration of how immigrant Australians approach this transition and how well their educational attainments translate into vocational outcomes. (CG)

These two papers are products of the Mount Druitt Early Childhood Project, a project established to develop, implement and evaluate five different early childhood programs for disadvantaged children in a suburban area of Sydney, Australia. The programs enrolled children from preschool age through kindergarten and first grade. The first document describes and evaluates the preschool curriculum components of one of the five programs. The second continues the program's curricular descriptions for the subsequent two years. The teaching strategies and learning content are said to be based on behaviorist early childhood programs developed in the U.S.A. during the 1970s. Program objectives for children, their teachers and parents are specified. Social reinforcement techniques, especially descriptive praise statements, and their implementation are indicated. Evaluation results suggest that the preschool program was successful in developing language competency and task mastery as well as promoting prosocial behavior. Mastery of terminal tasks was generally achieved by kindergarten students in the areas of reading, writing and number skills; and first grade students in the areas of number, reading comprehension, writing and spelling. The technique of providing descriptive praise appeared the most difficult skill for teachers to master. (Author/RH)

A study of the role of self, peer, and instructor assessment in the self-concept of undergraduate law students focuses specifically on the assessment of students' class participation. The procedure described can be used for the assessment of class participation in any subject. The criteria for assessment generated by students are given, a comparison between self, peer, and teacher marks is made, and the reactions of the students involved in the study are presented. A copy of the instrument used is appended. (LH)

This review paper identifies and captures the major themes from the ACER 2005 Research Conference, distilling ideas and information from the conference papers and also from conversations that took place during the conference. The paper also looks at what are claimed to be effective ways of using data to improve student learning in schools. How data are used to support student learning is what is under consideration, from collecting reliable data, making valid interpretations, reflecting on those interpretations, and acting upon that information if and when necessary. The main purpose of the review is to consider both the conference papers and the bigger issues about using data, which most of the conference papers addressed to some extent. Section 1 sets the context, provides definitions and an organisational framework used in subsequent sections of the review. Section 2 focuses on some purposes for analysing educational data, the role of data in professional work, and potential data sources. Section 3 records what the research says about how data can be used to support learning and notes recurring themes. Section 4 identifies and comments on some of the apparent dichotomies in current discussions about data and evidence and suggests some alternatives for operating more effectively. In conclusion, Section 5 sets out implications for policy and practice of the methodological, strategic and ethical aspects of the issues discussed in earlier sections. (Contains 4 footnotes, 7 figures and 3 tables.)