Evaluation of literacy approaches (ELA) project
This project is an evaluation of the main literacy approaches used in Northern Territory (NT) primary schools. The project focuses on measuring and assessing the resource costs of each approach versus its effectiveness and an assessment of the value added by the school and to the school from these approaches. The proposed evaluation methodology draws on the literature related to the micro-economic analysis of schooling which encompasses three schools of research: school improvement, school effectiveness and economic analyses of schooling. The study is being conducted from 2006 to 2008.
This is an NT Department of Education and Training (DET) initiative funded from Commonwealth Targeted funds for the quadrennium 2005 - 2008. Charles Darwin University and the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) are collaborating on the project.
Methodology
The research methodology is designed to collect a range of qualitative and quantitative data on the literacy strategies and programs implemented in the 20 schools, as selected by NT DET, providing a broad base for evaluating the effectiveness of the literacy approaches.
Twenty schools are participating in the project. Students in Years 1 - 4 in 2006 make up the student cohort from these schools and will be tracked through their schooling until the end of 2008. The overall sample size in 2006 is approximately 2279, with 1072 Indigenous and 1207 non-Indigenous students in the study. Quantitative and qualitative data will be derived from a number of perspectives, including teachers’ surveys and reflections, senior teachers’ and/or literacy coordinators’ perspectives, principals’ perspectives, parents’/carers’ perspectives and communities’ and stakeholders’ perspectives.
A rigorous literacy assessment using the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) Longitudinal Literacy and Numeracy Study (LLANS) survey will provide quantitative data on growth in literacy across the life of the project. System-administered assessment, such as the Multilevel Assessment Program (MAP), Northern Territory Curriculum Framework (NTCF) reports and attendance and participation data will be included. Other demographic and socioeconomic information about the schools, the teachers, the students and their communities will also be collected.
For further information and updates on the research contact:
Manager Evaluations
Phone: 8999 5636
Email: elaproject.DET@nt.gov.au