Research
The Assessment and Evaluation Research Centre is involved in a wide range of research activities focused on promoting educational measurement and assessment.
Latest research
Evaluation of the new Queensland Certificate of Education system
The Assessment & Evaluation Research Centre (AERC), Faculty of Education, the University of Melbourne, was commissioned by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) to conduct an independent evaluation of the new Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).
Led by Prof. Therese N. Hopfenbeck and a team of internationally recognised researchers, the evaluation report comprises nearly 200 pages of analysis, drawing on stakeholder surveys, school case studies, focus groups, psychometric data and international comparisons to assess whether the QCE system meets the needs of students, teachers and other stakeholders, both now and in the future.
Understanding relationships between structural and process quality in secondary education in the Philippines
Faculty of Education researchers are investigating how structural and classroom-level factors shape teaching quality and student outcomes including achievement, engagement and well-being, in secondary schools across the Philippines, with a strong emphasis on teacher voice, local context, and educational equity.
Led by Dr Emma Carter, this project explores how “teaching quality” is understood and enacted in diverse school settings, particularly in contexts affected by resource constraints, linguistic diversity, and climate-related disruptions.
Tracking AI in Education (TRAINE)
Faculty of Education researchers are exploring how secondary teachers across Australia are using generative AI tools in their teaching and assessment practices, with a focus on critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and student agency.
Led by Dr Samantha-Kaye Johnston, TRAINE is tracking how tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Co-pilot are shaping education in real time.
Participate in the research here: