The University of Melbourne warmly invites networks and schools to join the Melbourne Assessment Community, a network of like-minded schools using new assessment and recognition practices to transform learning.
All schools come to the community from different starting points. Some have worked for years to design learning and assessment that embeds the teaching and practice of complex competencies and others are just starting out.
For all, the common missing pieces include:
- a standards-based set of assessment tools that are robust, reliable, transferable, comparable, and context-agnostic
- a recognition system that values a broad range of learning
- resources to support leader and teacher planning
- professional learning to build leader and teacher confidence and capacity
- connection with a community of like-minded innovators
- coaching to support implementation
Memberships Options
MAC ESSENTIALS
Everything essential for schools who are ready to lead the work.
MAC PLUS
Focussed support to build staff and leadership capacity and guide implementation.
MAC PREMIUM
Intensive support to lead and embed next-generation practices.
Memberships Features and Fees
-
Ideal for schools to learn more and pilot next-gen practices in particular areas of their setting.
Annual fee based on school's student population:
- <500 students: $6,000
- 500-1,500 students: $9,000
- >1,500 students: $12,000
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Ideal for schools that would benefit from a scaffolded approach to orientation and execution.
MAC membership plus:
- Guidance to scope ambitions and monitor progress
- Support for staff championing the work
- 1 x half-day professional learning session for staff
- 2 x days with a dedicated University of Melbourne coach
Annual fee based on school's student population:
- <500 students: $16,000
- 500-1,500 students: $19,000
- >1,500 students: $22,000
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| MAC Membership | |
|---|---|
| PROFESSIONAL LEARNING | |
| Access to the University's professional learning course, ‘Measuring What Matters’ | Unlimited |
| Enrolment in online leadership development course, ‘Transforming Assessment Design’ | 2 staff members |
| Access to Melbourne Metrics research and industry reports | ✓ |
| Invitations to Melbourne Metrics webinars and events | ✓ |
| ASSESSMENT RESOURCES | |
| Whole-staff access to Melbourne Metrics partner portal | ✓ |
| Teacher and leader competency kits, including learner self-reflection tools and K-12 learning progressions | ✓ |
| Whole-staff access to Ruby, the University's online assessment and reporting platform | ✓ |
| Use of student self-assessment tools | ✓ |
| REPORTING | |
| Auto-generated 'rocket' competency reports (useful for teacher planning and professional discussion) | ✓ |
| Auto-generated aggregated summative 'fan' competency profiles (useful for end-of-semester/year reporting to families) | ✓ |
| SUPPORT | |
| Annual 1:1 orientation or progress discussion with the University team | ✓ |
| Fast-responding Partnership and Tech support channels | ✓ |
Credentialing
Following a typical two-year journey in MAC – wherein schools have utilised formative and summative reports to recognise learner competence - schools might expect to be ready to issue some learners with the Australian Learner Competency Credential.
Schools can engage in a University-led audit to receive feedback against the Melbourne Metrics Warranting Framework. This process invites critical interrogation and reflection on the school’s practices as a step towards co-issuing learners with the University of Melbourne warranted credential.
Interested to learn more? Contact us
Top-up: Synchronous Professional Learning
Professional learning supports school teams to be on the same page. Would your team benefit from (more) facilitated professional learning?
- Choose from four modules
- Half or full-day
- Facilitated by two University of Melbourne facilitators
- In-person or online
Interested to learn more? Contact us
Top-up: Coaching
All schools can sometimes use a little extra help. Are you interested in (more) guidance from an expert coach?
- A friendly and dedicated University of Melbourne coach, experienced in supporting schools to use assessment and recognition to transform learning
- Available to support online and in-person
- Connects schools to other like-minded schools
- Builds staff capacity to lead
- Monitors, evaluates and provides guidance on implementation
Interested to learn more? Contact us
Top-up: Customisation Opportunities
Existing networks and schools approach this work with particular priorities in mind. The University can customise the experience to support your strategic vision.
Assessment & Reporting
- Generation of bespoke assessment frameworks
- Co-issued reports and credentials
- Customisable fields to be shown on reports and credentials
Technology
- Co-branded network portal and assessment platform
- Data services, including psychometric reporting
- Customised server hosting arrangements
Support
- Network project management support
- University-led school auditing
Interested to learn more? Contact us
Top-up: Students with Additional Needs (SWANs)
In recognition of the diversity of learners in classrooms, for the past two decades the University of Melbourne has conducted research and developed assessment and reporting methods to support the learning of students with additional learning needs. Melbourne Metric's built the Students with Additional Needs (SWANs) suite of resources, which include an integrated set of assessment, reporting, and tailored intervention strategies to describe and monitor the learning of students with additional needs across foundational skills.
These included communication, literacy, personal learning, interpersonal processes, emotional understanding, numeracy, digital literacy, thinking skills and movement. These have been utilised by learning support teachers, classroom teachers and school leaders to support students with a range of learning needs. MAC schools can access SWANs, an online integrated assessment and reporting program to monitor and support the learning of school-aged students with additional learning needs by requesting access by emailing swans-ables-help@unimelb.edu.au and paying the $439/per school/annum fee plus a once-off set up cost of $100. It includes professional teaching advice in the form of easy-to-read materials that can be downloaded from within the program to support teachers with their planning and intervene accurately.
For Individual Educators: Online Professional Learning Modules
Are you an educator who is interested in this work, but your school or setting is not a position to become members of the Melbourne Assessment Community?
Educators interested in learning more about next-generation assessment and trialling the University’s assessment instruments and materials are encouraged to enrol in the University’s online professional learning short courses.
‘Measuring what Matters’ is a free 3-week module that supports all educators to learn more about the Melbourne Metrics approach to the assessment and recognition of learner complex competencies.
