New Metrics for Success
Transforming what we value in schools
New Metrics for Success is a collaborative research venture between The University of Melbourne and selected forward-thinking schools to work in partnership to address the meta-problems faced by Australian schools today and in the future.
New Metrics for Success is an opportunity for innovative school leaders to join with academic experts and international trailblazers to reimagine and influence schooling in Australia – to move away from the ‘grammar of schooling’ that continues to lock our schools into many of the distinctive features of the 20th century version of education.
Australian schooling is ready for a paradigm shift and the development of new metrics to assess, credential and measure student and school success. Young people must now be educated and assessed in new ways so they are prepared for a very different future.
In this research-practice partnership, schools work with experts at the Assessment Research Centre to access University technology to support the creation and validation of new metrics.
The partnership provides the opportunity to:
- work with progressive school leaders who have moved away from the traditional ‘grammar of schooling’
- generate new and validated assessment tools
- influence the development of new policy
- garner the necessary support to facilitate real change in schools
- connect with national and international networks of like-minded leaders.
Participants in New Metrics for Success work together on solutions to the big challenges that face Australian education and partner schools. These challenges vary but often stem from the traditional organisation of learning, which includes:
- age grading;
- curriculum devised around discipline content areas;
- reliance on summative examinations to gauge success;
- use of standardised testing in narrow areas of attainment to determine overall success; and
- timetables organised around short time periods of instruction provided principally by subject experts.
The partnership involves:
- Participants attending three two-day conferences each year. The conference programs include keynote presentations by University academics along with workshops and masterclasses facilitated by academics, international industry practitioners and renowned school leaders.
- Promoting alignment of policy and system reward and is expected to influence the development of new ideas about metrics for success for learners, schools and systems.
- Building the capacity and reputation of participants as innovative and progressive leaders.
- Accessing researchers to support the collation and analysis of school-based data.
- Schools working with the University to develop and publish case studies that promote the program and the schools’ innovations.
- Providing each school with an academic mentor to help facilitate their engagement with the program and their collaboration with other schools.
Program participants will have the opportunity to share their progress, receive critical feedback, and establish relationships with a range of schools, experts and influencers from across the education sector.
Introductory webinar
In 2020, schools who had expressed an interest were invited to an introductory webinar in October with Enterprise Professor Sandra Milligan, Professor Yong Zhao and Laureate Professor John Hattie.
More than a mark: how to measure learning success without ranks and tests
On 20 September 2022, MGSE Dean's Lecture Series invited Professor Sandra Milligan to explain new ways of assessing and credentialing, along with what they mean for learners, their teachers, employers and tertiary selectors. Professor Milligan amplified the New Metrics for Success work by paying homage to the New Metrics research-practice partnership schools and the big challenge that they are tackling.
Academic team
The Melbourne Graduate School of Education academic team will be led by members of the Graduate School’s professoriate:
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Jim Watterston
Dean of the Melbourne Graduate School of Education
Phone: +61383448331
Email: jim.watterston@unimelb.edu.au -
John Hattie
Laureate Professor Emeritus
Email: jhattie@unimelb.edu.au
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Sandra Milligan
Enterprise Professor
Phone: +61390357801
Email: s.milligan@unimelb.edu.au -
Professor Helen Cahill
Phone: +61383449641
Email: h.cahill@unimelb.edu.au -
Professor Lea Waters
Email: l.waters@unimelb.edu.au
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Professor Yong Zhao
-
Professor Larissa McLean Davies
Professor of Teacher Education
Phone: +61383448610
Email: l.mcleandavies@unimelb.edu.au -
Associate Professor Peggy Kern
Associate Professor in Wellbeing Science
Phone: +61383443402
Email: peggy.kern@unimelb.edu.au -
Associate Professor John Quay
Associate Professor in Physical Education
Phone: +61383448533
Email: jquay@unimelb.edu.au
Participants will be connected to the leadership team’s extensive local and international network, including luminaries such as Professor Emeritus Michael Fullan (Canada) and Professor David Ng (Singapore).
Academic mentors
Throughout the partnership, schools are mentored by a team from the Assessment Research Centre:
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The University is continually updating and advancing support resources for partner schools.
New Metrics has developed resource kits to support the assessment and recognition of a range of complex competencies. These resource kits are designed to be used in conjunction with the University's assessment platform to assess a learner's level of attainment and growth in an area of competence. New Metrics resource kits contain:
- competence definitions
- breakdowns of 'elements' of competence
- sample learning progressions
- sample indicative behaviours
- guidance on designing opportunities for evidence collection
Sample resources
Please find here a sample resource kit for Agency in Learning and a compilation of some ‘taster’ resources for additional competencies, including:
- Acting Ethically
- Active Citizenship
- Character
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Quality Thinking
Existing school partners and invited guests
Access the program's online resources and seminars, and stay up to date with the latest news and events.
Please note: For issues relating to the partner portal, please contact technical support.
Enquiries
Talk to us about your school's needs, learn more about the current program or lodge an expression of interest for 2023. Please include your school, name and position in your email query.
Please note: All available school places in the partnership have been filled for 2022. The Melbourne Graduate School of Education is currently accepting expressions of interest from schools for 2023.
