Brokers and independent evaluators: Collaboration to inform better practice

Background
Demand has never been higher for evidence in education, raising questions about what counts as evidence, and how robust evidence is generated and shared to impact schooling outcomes. An emerging research model in Australia is the Learning Impact Fund (LIF) which focuses on improving knowledge and extending evidence-base on what works to increase students’ achievement levels. LIF builds on the successful approach of the Education Endowment Foundation in the United Kingdom, which aims to fund and independently evaluate what works and why in order to raise the achievement of Australian students. Central of LIF is to partner with independent evaluators to develop robust evaluations of programs in addition to conducting cost and process evaluations of the interventions. This presentation centres on the research operating principles between Evidence for Leaning and an independent evaluator, Western Sydney University.
Significance
Navigating the research process is complex and therefore establishing transparent and explicit frameworks for engagement is essential. Evidence for Learning and Western Sydney University have worked collaboratively and drawn upon both workplace policies and practises to develop a project approach that has dual outcome benefits.
Findings and Implications
This presentation highlights key features of a collaborative research partnership. It is one of Australia’s first contracted program, cost and process evaluations funded by Evidence for Learning with Western Sydney University as the independent evaluators. The presentation focuses on publishing priorities, research protocols and agreement negotiation processes with the goal to inform future intervention evaluation practices.