Building school capabilities to improve their wellbeing
Australia Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grant — 2007–2009
Partner(s): Department of Education and Children's Services (DECS), Blackwood High School, Christies Beach High School, Flagstaff Primary School and the Wallara District Office of DECS.
This research will monitor the level of wellbeing in four Southern Metropolitan schools — Aberfoyle Park High School, Christies Beach High School, Blackwood High School and Flagstaff School — as well as the implementation of interventions to address issues of concern.
For more information about this project, download the brochure ARC Brochure May 2008 (PDF 1MB) .
Family Learning Network: An Evaluation
Flinders Collaborative Research Grant — 2007
Partner(s): Elizabeth Downs Primary School, Elizabeth East Primary School, Elizabeth Park Primary School and Northern Area Community & Youth Services Inc.
The Family Learning Network was established in Elizabeth, South Australia, in July 2006 to enhance the health and wellbeing of families and promote student achievement through collaboration across three primary schools and a community youth service. The Network seeks to do this in two ways: through better service coordination for families during times of crisis; and by building community capacity to promote wellbeing and prevent problems before they arise.
In August 2006 the Family Learning Network and the School of Education at Flinders University commenced discussions about forming a partnership to evaluate the effectiveness of the Network.
A three-stage evaluation was proposed by the researchers. Stage One (2007) would establish baseline data to form the basis of the following two years and highlight issues the Network needs to address to achieve its goals. Stage Two (2008) would consist of a formative evaluation of the Network's progress in implementing its proposed program, extending its partnership base and addressing the designated advocacy areas. Stage Three (2009) would replicate Stage One with the aim of determining the difference the Network has made and its progress toward achieving its stated objectives.
Stage One of the evaluation was funded through the Flinders Collaborative Research Grant Scheme (FCRGS) — an internal grant scheme which aims to develop collaborative research activities between Flinders University and industry - and is the subject of this report.
Download the report here: FLN Final Report 19-5 (PDF 858KB)
How to spell bird
Department of Education and Children's Services — 2007
Partner(s): University of South Australia
A research project that examines the effectiveness of parent programs designed for families to support learning of 4-6 year old children.
The research examined teachers' and parents' assessment of the effectiveness of already established programs in preschool and school sites with high, medium and low literacy outcomes in the first year of school. The project explored a range of early childhood programs on offer, but focused in detail on one aspect (the parent component) of the highly successful Canadian early literacy program – The Abecedarian Program – the successful South Australian Department of Education and Children's Services ECLIPSE program, and parent programs developed by local schools and pre-schools.
It is anticipated that this research will lead to the development of new initiatives for parents and families as well as potential changes to literacy outcomes.
Outreach Preschool in Childcare Trial: Evaluation
Department of Education and Children's Services — 2008–2009
Partner(s): University of South Australia
This evaluation aims to measure the effectiveness of a government outreach preschool program which is being hosted by three community managed childcare centres in South Australia - Barker Kindergarten, O'Sullivan Beach Kindergarten and Smithfield Plains Kindergarten. The provision of the outreach preschool program is in response to the government's objective to achieve “universal provision of the Department of Education and Children's Services (DECS) preschool education program for all eligible children”.
View the news release issued by the Minister for Education and Children's Services here: Childcare Trial News Release (PDF 83KB)
A Research Report on the Delivery of ICT Learning Using Contemporary Learning Environments
Department of Education and Children's Services — 2007–2010
Partners: University of South Australia; Ferryden Park Primary School and Child parent centre; Lockleys North Primary School; Streaky Bay Area School; Glenunga International High School.
The project has been designed to provide research-based evidence that will address three research questions:
- what should high quality contemporary learning look like for our students,
- what technology, and particularly ICT, would support this student learning, and
- what knowledge and skills do educators need to be developed to achieve this.
The project recognises that students, teachers and the school will each deploy various technologies within a contemporary learning environment and the project will explore ways that these can be beneficially used for student learning.
KidsMatter Evaluation
Commonwealth Government Department of Health and Ageing, beyondblue: the national depression initiative, the Australian Psychological Society, the Australian Principals Associations Professional Development Council (APAPDC) — 2007–2010
The KidsMatter Evaluation is gathering information about the initial trial of KidsMatter in schools across Australia. It will provide information about the implementation process and whether the initiative leads to improved mental health for students. The evaluation will inform the subsequent national roll-out of KidsMatter initiatives.
Visit the Kids Matter website.
