Organisational chart

ACER conducts research into the assessment and reporting of a range of academic and social educational outcomes. The Humanities and Social Sciences program focuses on cross-curricular skills such as literacy, critical thinking, interpersonal development and verbal reasoning; and subject-based disciplines. This work includes the refinement of test constructs; studies of test validity and reliability; assessment methods and formats; analyses of data; and item banking, online test delivery and reporting.

The Mathematics and Science program focuses on cross-curricular skills such as numeracy and abstract, scientific and quantitative reasoning as well as mathematics and science subject-based disciplines. This work includes the refinement of test constructs; studies of test validity and reliability; assessment methods and formats; analyses of data; and item banking, online test delivery and reporting.

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This program provides high quality psychometric and data analytic support to projects; manages externally commissioned data analysis/methodology projects (including the national analysis of NAPLAN); and undertakes, publishes and presents research on psychometric and other quantitative research issues.

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Research focuses on identifying more effective ways of monitoring achievement across entire education systems, providing more usable school-level reports and providing better feedback to teachers and parents. Activities include the development of test materials, psychometric analysis and reporting, consulting, training and research.

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The Australian Surveys team conducts large-scale surveys involving nationally representative samples of students – in Australia and other countries. This work involves expertise in representative samples, survey design and implementation in multiple formats, collection and marking of secure assessments, data analysis and reporting of results. The team works on Australia’s participation in the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and the Progress of International Reading Literacy Survey (PIRLS).

The work on international large scale surveys draws on ACER staff expertise in sampling, survey management, scaling methodology, survey data analysis as well as the interpretation and reporting of results from international comparative studies. International Surveys staff work has included the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the IEA Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS).

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ACER designs and implements evaluations of education policies and programs using context specific qualitative and quantitative methods; conducts original research; and undertakes analysis of policies and practices for government and non-government organisations. ACER offers evaluation and research expertise that contributes to evidence-based education policies and programs, teaching and learning, Indigenous Education, and higher education and vocational education and training. We work closely with schools, teritary institutions; businesses and community groups.

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ACER's education and development research program is dedicated to improving the learning outcomes of millions of children across a broad range of development contexts. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) endorsed by the United National General Assembly in September 2015 have put improving quality at the centre of its education objectives for the next 15 years. The SDGs recognise that great advances have been made with regard to increasing the number of children in school, but millions of children continue to leave school unable to read or write. This program aims to contribute to the global pool of knowledge on how to improve student learning through research on school readiness, early literacy, teacher development, curriculum reform and school improvement. The education and development research program is supporting a number of research initiatives with a broad range of development partners including UNICEF, UNESCO, the World Bank, Australian Aid Program, the UK Department for International Development and other development partners including research institutes, universities and NGOs. Our projects span across a number of international geographic locations and include Southeast Asia, the Pacific, Central and Southern Asia, and Southern and Eastern Africa. The education and development research program works closely with ACER's centre for Global Educational Monitoring.

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ACER Press is a leading publisher of researched-based educational books, periodicals, assessments and resources.

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ACER is Australia’s most trusted supplier of high quality educational and psychological resources for professionals. Resources are available for purchase online, by phone and at our ACER bookshops, located in Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

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The Centre for School and System Improvement conducts conferences, workshops and extended programs which are evidence-based and practice-oriented. The focus is on improving educational outcomes through leading practices in assessment, data literacy, organisational improvement, literacy, numeracy and educational leadership.

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ACER’s Cunningham Library holds the most comprehensive and up to date collection of educational research documents in Australia. The vast resources of Cunningham Library offer the researcher a complete and up to date collection of educational research documents in Australia, including books, journals, databases and online documents.

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School Assessment Services provides assessment services for schools including select entry, gifted education and scholarship programs; programs for monitoring achievement in literacy, numeracy, science, languages and general ability; and programs for measuring social-emotional wellbeing. Test scoring, reporting and data interpretation services include OMR scanning, standard and customised reporting and national and international benchmarking.

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The Tertiary & Vocational Assessment Services program conceptualises, develops and delivers a range of high quality education services for post school education and for organisational and professional requirements, including:

• selection testing for university entrance
• selection testing for employment
• foundation skills assessment
• professional certification and accreditation assessments
• workforce development tools

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