Evaluation and research reports relating to the work of the AEF

Leading 21st Century Schools: National Forum Report 19-20 May 2008
The AEF Leading 21st Century Schools National Forum in May 2008 constituted the launch and first part of the professional learning strategy for participating principals in the Leading 21st Century Schools: Engage with Asia Project, and included the engagement of key national partners.

Encountering Cultures: the impact of study tours to Asia on Australian teachers and teaching practice by Dr Christine Halse, University of Sydney, Nepean, 1999
This study examines the experiences of teacher who participated in AEF study tours and the impact of their learning experiences on their identity and teaching practice in schools.

Report on the National Forum: 20 - 21 May 2007 Engaging Young Australians with Asia - The National Statement in Action
The AEF annual National Forum was held in May 2007 with a focus on the take-up of the National Statement for Engaging Young Australians with Asia in Australian Schools. Participants were drawn from all States and Territories and from national organisations.

Report on the 2006 National Languages Seminar: 30-31 October 2006 - 'Maximising the Opportunity'
The inaugural National Langauges Seminar was held in Canberra in October 2006 to support the uptake of the National Statement and Plan for Languages Education in Australian Schools 2005-08 The Seminar Report captures inputs from keynote speakers, panel contributors, workshop presenters and describes future action and collaboration agreed to by Seminar delegates.

Report on the National Forum: 4-5 April 2006 Engaging Young Australians with Asia
The AEF annual National Forum was held in April to support the uptake of the new National Statement for Engaging Young Australians with Asia in Australian Schools. The Forum Report presents the lively debate and decisions made at the Forum in a quick, easy to read format.

The Future of Studies of Asia and Australia in Australian Schools: An Evaluative Investigation, John Owen, Ian Ling, Pamela Andrew, Margaret Ling, Program Review Consultants, 2005

This report examines the views of senior representatives from three States and Territories departments of education, education stakeholder groups and the AEF. It proposes a model of change which focusses on the importance of school leadership and proposes strategies for the AEF to consider into the future.

Views of Members of the Executive of the Australian Council of State School Organisations (ACSSO) and Australian Parents Council (APC) on Studies of Asia in Australian Schools (Executive Summary) by Solved at McConchie Pty Ltd, 2005

This report outlines the views of 137 members of the Executive of ACSSO and APC on the studies of Asia and Australia in Australian schools.

The survey found that:

• 88% believed that the government should have a long term strategic plan to implement such a policy
• 92% acknowledged the importance of the business and economic ties linking Australia with the countries of Asia
• 91% believed that an important skill for all Australians to possess is an ability to communicate across cultures. 60% of parents responded that they would like their child to learn an Asian language
• 82% said that Australians needed to understand China as well as they understood Britain and the USA, although India did not feature as prominently in their thinking
• Approximately 74% agreed with the proposition that good relationships with Asian countries would assist in maintaining Australia's long term security

Further information regarding the survey is available at: http://www.acsso.org.au/hot7.htm under the studies of Asia page.

2005 National Forum – Engaging Young Australians with Asia
The 2005 National Forum, Engaging Young Australians with Asia, was an initiative of the Asia Education Foundation (AEF) with funding from the Department of Education, Science and Training under the Australian Government Quality Teacher Programme (AGQTP).

Participants in the Forum comprised State and Territory teams of government and non-government representatives, school principals and teachers, AEF Board members, presidents of peak education bodies, including principals' associations and parent bodies, Deans of Education, Asian Studies academics and curriculum associations.

Report of National Summit – Studies of Asia in Australian Schools at a crossroad: Strategic Directions (2003)
The National Studies of Asia Summit was held in November 2003 as an initiative of the AEF Advisory Board to bring together key education stakeholders – including senior representatives of education systems, sectors, teacher education, parent, principal and subject organisations – plus peak business, government and community groups. This report discusses key outcomes from the Summit.

Curriculum Outcomes in Access Asia Schools (2003)
This study was commissioned by the AEF to describe what a commitment to studies about Asia means in terms of the practices of teachers and others in schools. It outlines strategies and conditions encouraging and supporting development of this commitment.

Australian Students' Knowledge and Understanding of Asia (2002)
This report presents findings of a national sample survey conducted in November 2001 of more than 7,000 students in Years 5 and 8 in schools across Australia. It identifies levels of student knowledge, understanding and attitudes about Asia and analyses data according to student background, school policies and practices.

Outcomes from Participation in the NALSAS Studies of Asia Professional Development Modules 1998–2001 (2002)
This report examines the impact of completing the Studies of Asia Graduate Certificate programs (1998–2001) on 18 teachers and their professional practice.

Review of Studies of Asia in Australian Schools (2002)
This review reports on the types and levels of studies of Asia activities in schools across the education sectors. It addresses the issues of participation, resources, professional development and school outcomes. It provides an analysis of the current strength of studies of Asia in Australian schools and makes recommendations to inform forward strategic planning at national and jurisdictional levels.

National Asian Languages and Studies in Australian Schools (NALSAS) Strategy – Scan of Studies of Asia Activities in Pre-Service Primary and Secondary Teacher Education (2001)
Determining the extent/degree of studies of Asia activities in pre-service teacher education programs in Australia, the number of student teachers in teacher education programs involved in these activities, and future plans of Australian universities to introduce or expand Asia-related study in their teacher education programmes.