Research and evaluation in the Consultancy and Development Unit

On this page:

The Consultancy and Development Unit (CDU) has a history of successfully conducting research projects for a range of clients.

Current research projects

AMF Care Evaluation of Intensive Support Program 2008 -

The Intensive Support Program (ISP) is an exciting and innovative new program developed by The Alannah and Madeline Foundation that will provide a proactive, holistic intervention for children who are suffering the effects of serious violence.

Mathematics Specialists Evaluation

The evaluation of the Primary Mathematics Specialists initiative to build teacher capacity to improve student learning outcomes in mathematics.

AMF Better Buddies Evaluation (Alannah and Madeline Foundation) 2006 -

The Better Buddies Framework is a fully integrated program for primary schools which has proven to be invaluable in encouraging friendly and caring communities. The program, currently used in all states of Australia, has also been adopted and adapted by schools in Denmark through The Mary Foundation and Save the Children, Denmark.

Research by The Alannah and Madeline Foundation showed that teaming older students with younger ones is a powerful means to achieving the core values of the program, particularly that of reducing bullying behaviour in schools.

Bastow Numeracy Coach Training Program 2010 -

The Numeracy Coach Training program is designed to combine the core elements of effective professional learning with the essential goals of improving teacher practice. The program will train coaches who will go back into their own schools with increased capability to design professional learning for the whole school and for dedicated professional learning teams, and to support individual classroom teachers to improve their classroom practice by increasing their numeracy content knowledge and skills.

Evaluation of the Primary Mathematics Specialists Initiative 2010 -

The Primary Mathematics Specialists Initiative is designed to build teacher capacity to improve student learning outcomes in mathematics. This is a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the initiative.

Quantitative Evaluation of the Coaching Initiatives 2009 -

This initiative is designed to build teacher capacity to improve student learning outcomes. This is a quantitative evaluation of student learning outcomes.

Supporting New Teacher’s Practice 2010 -

The Supporting New Teacher’s Practice program is designed to support beginning teachers in their first year of teaching. This program is run as a two day workshop followed by online learning using the Ultranet and Elluminate.

Postgraduate Sponsored Study in Primary Mathematics Teaching 2011 -

The Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Mathematics Teaching program explores the practices and strategies that primary school teachers can use to enhance the mathematics/numeracy learning of all students.

Early Childhood Development Pilot Project (ECD) 2011 -

This is a DHS evaluation to investigate the value of DHS’ appointment of 24 senior Early Childhood Development co-ordinators to increase the collaboration between Child First/Family Services (DHS) and Early Years Services (DEECD) in providing for vulnerable children.

CiiF Aboriginal Language evaluation 2010 -

This is to evaluate the CiiF project which is using Web 2.0 technologies to support the recovery and teaching of Aboriginal languages and culture in Victorian Schools.

Bushfire Recovery (Bounce Back) 2010 -

The Bounce Back Bushfire Recovery program evaluation investigated the value of the Bounce Back Resilience program when used with students who have experienced bushfire.

Certificate of Education, Integration Aide

A 48 hour program delivered in locations around Victoria.

Evaluation of Intensive Support Program (Alannah and Madeline Foundation) 2008 –

The Intensive Support Program (ISP) is an exciting and innovative new program developed by The Alannah and Madeline Foundation that will provide a proactive, holistic intervention for children who are suffering the effects of serious violence.

AMF Cybersmart – Stage 1

CyberSmart is a cultural change campaign in schools across Australia aimed at increasing skills, reducing risk and creating a caring and responsible culture in the use of technology.

Completed research projects

Leaders in the Making 2007 - 2009

The Leaders in the Making Program was designed to strengthen leadership capacity and support the design of succession planning models within school networks.

Leading in Effective Schools 2007 - 2009

The Leading in Effective Schools program was designed to strengthen the leadership capacity of schools by supporting the professional learning of small teams (three to six) of high potential teacher-leaders.

Energy reduction training program for schools

Office of Resources, Management and Services, Department of Education and Training Victoria.

Principles of Learning and Teaching Implementation Program for 2007 - 2008

Southern Metropolitan Region, Grampians and Gippsland, Pedagogy Unit, Office of Learning and Teaching, Department of Education and Training Victoria.

Flagship Strategy

Delivery of training program for Flagship Strategy 1: Student Learning, Professional Learning Package Learning Policies Branch, Student Learning Division, Office of Learning and Teaching, Department of Education and Training Victoria.

Other projects over the last 6 years

  • Literacy Teams Evaluation. Analysis and reporting on the student outcomes data from the control and coached schools for 2009
  • Evaluation of Teaching and Learning Coaches Initiative (DEECD Victoria) (2008-9)
  • Education for Sustainability Guide (AISV) (2008-9)
  • Needs analysis, scoping study and design of a cybersafety campaign (Alannah and Madeline Foundation) (2008-9)
  • VCAA Early Childhood Development Project (VCAA) (2008)
  • It’s not Ok To Be Away Evaluation (DEECD Victoria) (2007)
  • Scoping Study for an Early Learning Centre (Melbourne Grammar School) (2007)
  • Literacy and Numeracy Innovative Projects Initiative (DEEWR) (2006-8)
  • VCAL Audit (Victorian Qualifications Authority) (2006-7)
  • Review of Antibullying Policy and Practice (2005)
  • Stakeholder response on the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (2005)
  • Consultation on the new VCE Biology Study Design (2005)
  • Principal For a Day Evaluation (2005)
  • Strathcona Research Project (for ICT provision) (2004)
  • National Environmental Education Statement (2004)
  • Evaluation of the Sustainable Schools Pilot Victorian Stormwater Action Project (2004)
  • Papua New Guinea Curriculum Reform Implementation Project (2004-2006)
  • Principles of Learning and Teaching (PoLT) (2004-2005)
  • Consultation on Directions for Reform of Victorian Curriculum in the Compulsory Years (2004)
  • Options for Curriculum Reform Project (CSF) (2003)
  • Evaluation Intel - Teach to the Future program (2003-2008)
  • Hands on for Habitat Evaluation (2003)
  • Middle Years - The Next Generation (Soundhouse Project Evaluation) (2003)
  • Bass Coast Sexuality Education Project - Impact Evaluation (2003)
  • Later Years Pedagogy: CQTP Pedagogical Framework for Teachers of Later Years Students (2003-2004)
  • Review of the Implementation of the Early Years Literacy and Numeracy Programs (2003)
  • Support for School Innovation in Teaching (SIT) (2003)
  • SIS Evaluation (2003)
  • Innovative Projects Initiative (Literacy) (2003-2004)
  • Consultation with key stakeholders on VCE Psychology (2003)
  • Middle Years Pedagogy Research & Development (MYPRAD) (2003-2004)
  • Evaluation of the QTP for DE&T (2001-2003)
  • Science in Schools - research project (2001 – 2003)
  • Evaluation of the Notebooks for Teachers and Principals Initiative - Department of Education and Early Choldhood Development (1998-2002)

Project reports

The Literacy and numeracy innovative projects initiative

The Australian Government provides funding through the National projects element of the LNSLN Programme for innovative projects which support improved literacy and numeracy outcomes of those students in the early and middle years not achieving the nationally agreed benchmarks for Years 3, 5 and 7 or other acceptable minimum standards for students beyond Year 7.

The Montmorency Cluster in partnership with RMIT University (Consultancy and Development Unit) was successful in securing Round 3 funding for their project titled “Using a cluster approach to enhance literacy in the middle years.”

The project came from the perceived need to establish a consistent approach to literacy across the important transition phase of primary to secondary school and concern for students who are at risk at this stage of schooling. The purpose of the project was to provide opportunities for teachers from the cluster to develop and establish sustainable strategies for the improvement of literacy skills in the Middle Years of Schooling. In particular, the project related to the transition phase of schooling from Year 6 to Year 7.

Teachers trialled a range of strategies in teaching curriculum literacies to assist at-risk students in literacy learning as they move from primary to secondary school. Teams of teachers from primary schools and the secondary college worked together to develop consistency of approach to help students to make the connections between curriculum areas.

Literacy and numeracy innovative project report (PDF 366kb 71 p)

CDU home