ACER framework

The ACER framework in education is typically associated with the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), a globally recognized research organization that supports education systems through research, assessment tools, and evaluation frameworks. 

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1. ACER as an Organization

• ACER is not a specific pedagogical framework but a research body that creates frameworks and tools used in educational assessment and evaluation.
• They are known for developing large-scale assessment programs like PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment), PAT (Progressive Achievement Tests), and frameworks for 21st-century skills.

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2. Common Frameworks Developed by ACER

Some specific frameworks and assessment systems created or supported by ACER include:

a) 21st Century Skills Framework

ACER contributed to the assessment and development of 21st-century skills, including:

• Critical thinking
• Collaboration
• Creativity
• Communication
• Digital literacy

b) Global Citizenship and Sustainability Frameworks

In line with UNESCO goals, ACER has also worked on frameworks that evaluate:

• Global awareness
• Social responsibility
• Sustainability education

c) Assessment Design Frameworks

ACER has created structured assessment design methodologies, such as:

• Construct-Centered Design: Aligning learning goals, assessments, and tasks.
• Evidence-Centered Design (ECD): Defining the evidence needed to support claims about what students know.

Summary

• ACER (Australian Council for Educational Research) is a research institution, not a single pedagogical framework.
• It develops educational tools, assessments, and frameworks used globally.
• If someone refers to the "ACER framework", they usually mean a specific tool or framework designed or published by ACER, such as in assessment design, 21st-century skills, or educational evaluation.

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In the context of Uttar Pradesh basic education, the ACER framework refers to the implementation of an Assessment Capacity Building Programme, supported by ACER India (part of the Australian Council for Educational Research) and UNICEF, under the broader SSCLA initiative. The program is tailored to help UP strengthen its Learning Assessment Systems. Here's a detailed breakdown:

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📘 1. What the ACER Framework Involves in Uttar Pradesh

Assessment Capacity Building: ACER India works with UP’s Department of Basic Education (including SCERT, DIETs, and Samagra Shiksha) to train officials and educators in designing, analyzing, and using assessments effectively.

14‑element assessment cycle: Training covers designing assessment frameworks, item development, validation, Rasch modeling and scaling, generating actionable inferences, and reporting for policy planning .

Localized assessment tools: Development of numeracy and language item‑banks aligned with UP’s Mission Prerna foundation-learning initiative .

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👥 2. How It Works on the Ground

Target participants: 62 state and district officials participated initially, engaging in ~53 training days across 11 weeks .

Phased workshops: Included zonal orientation, assessment development, data-analysis sessions (including Rasch and DIF), and reporting techniques .

Embedding in Mission Prerna: The assessment framework and tools were integrated with broader FLN initiatives under UP’s Mission Prerna .

Data capacity building: By focusing on scale scores (not just percentages), the framework encourages educators to interpret data for informed policymaking

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🔁 3. Why It Matters for UP Schools

Elevates technical capability: Enhances UP’s in-house skills in building and analyzing assessments, reducing dependence on external vendors  .

Supports system-wide improvements: Improves the quality and interpretability of learning data, feeding directly into policies and teaching interventions.

Bolsters foundational learning: Aligns closely with Mission Prerna and NIPUN Bharat, which are driving recent gains in literacy and numeracy across grades 1–5.

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🛠️ 4. Practical Benefits & Progress

Better quality assessments: Shift from percentage-based scoring to calibrated scale scores via tools like Rasch analysis.

Enhanced decision-making: Educators use robust data to pinpoint learning gaps and adapt teaching strategies.

Complement to digital tools: Strengthened assessment design operates alongside digital initiatives (e.g., Prerna Lakshya App, Smart Classrooms) which track student progress in real time.

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✅ Summary

The ACER framework in UP isn’t a standalone teaching model, but a structured methodology for creating strong, reliable assessment systems within the state's basic education sector. Through capacity building, technical training, and alignment with state education missions, it empowers UP to measure student learning more accurately and translate data into classroom and policy improvements.

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14 Key elements 

Here are the 14 key elements of a robust assessment cycle as introduced in the ACER‑UNICEF capacity‑building programme in Uttar Pradesh:

1. Clearly define assessment domains – Establish what abilities or content areas are being measured.
2. Design an assessment framework – Map domains to standards, grade levels, or learning progressions.
3. Develop assessment items – Create questions/tasks aligned with the framework (item‑bank construction).
4. Panel/test items (validation) – Use expert review and pilot groups to ensure item clarity, relevance, and difficulty balance.
5. Manage sampling and administration – Ensure representative student samples and consistent test delivery.
6. Collect empirical data – Administer items and gather student responses.
7. Conduct data cleaning and preparation – Verify response accuracy and prepare datasets.
8. Apply Rasch modelling – Use item-response theory for scale construction and to check item functioning.
9. Check differential item functioning (DIF) – Test for bias across subgroups.
10. Conduct equating and scaling – Convert raw scores into comparable scale scores.
11. Map scale scores to learning progressions – Link numeric scores to meaningful levels or bands.
12. Draw inferences on student learning – Analyze data to diagnose strengths, weaknesses, and progression trends.
13. Report results for stakeholders – Prepare reports/tables to inform educators, administrators, and policymakers.
14. Inform policy and classroom practice – Use findings to guide curriculum design, teaching strategies, and resource allocation.

These stages form a comprehensive cycle from defining what to assess through developing items, gathering and analyzing data, and finally translating results into actionable educational decisions and interventions.

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This structured approach ensures assessments in UP—particularly under Mission Prerna and NIPUN Bharat—are valid, reliable, bias‑checked, scaled, and useful for both classrooms and state-level decision making. Let me know if you'd like detailed examples or templates for any specific element!

How to use it in Teaching-Learning?

The 14-element assessment cycle developed by ACER can be practically used in teaching–learning to improve both classroom instruction and student outcomes. Here's a simplified step-by-step guide on how to apply it as a teacher or school leader:

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🔁 How to Use the 14-Element Assessment Cycle in Teaching–Learning

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🟩 PHASE 1: Before Teaching — Plan with Clarity

1. Define what to assess (Element 1)
   → Identify key competencies (e.g., reading fluency, number operations) based on your syllabus or learning outcomes (LOs).
   ✅ Example: “By the end of this week, students should be able to subtract 3-digit numbers with borrowing.”

2. Design an assessment framework (Element 2)
   → Organize your syllabus into measurable skills or progression levels.
   ✅ Tip: Use NIPUN Bharat or SCERT learning ladders.

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🟨 PHASE 2: During Teaching — Teach with Assessment in Mind

3. Develop quality assessment items (Element 3)
   → Prepare classwork, activities, or short tests with variety: MCQs, oral Qs, open-ended Qs.
   ✅ Tip: Align questions with real-life tasks and Bloom’s Taxonomy (Remember–Understand–Apply).

4. Validate your items (Element 4)
   → Test your worksheet or quiz with a small group first to ensure clarity and difficulty level.
   ✅ Tip: Peer review with another teacher helps refine questions.

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🟦 PHASE 3: Assessment Administration

5. Organize sampling/admin (Element 5)
   → Ensure all students attempt the tasks under fair and distraction-free conditions.
   ✅ Tip: Use group testing, oral interviews, and observation in primary classes.

6. Collect responses carefully (Element 6)
   → Use answer sheets, notebooks, or digital tools like the Prerna Lakshya App.

7. Clean and prepare data (Element 7)
   → Check for missing answers, mismatches, or irrelevant responses.

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🟥 PHASE 4: Analysis and Interpretation

8. Apply Rasch modelling or basic analysis (Element 8)
   → If you’re a teacher: Do simple analysis — how many students scored above 80%, who struggled, etc.
   ✅ In DIETs or Block Level: Use Rasch models for scaling.

9. Check for bias (DIF) (Element 9)
   → Ask: Are girls scoring differently than boys in a certain skill? Why?

10. Convert raw to scale scores (Element 10)
    → Use benchmarks: e.g., “0–4 = Beginner, 5–7 = Developing, 8–10 = Proficient.”

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🟧 PHASE 5: Feedback and Remediation

11. Link scores to progression (Element 11)
    → Place each student in a level: e.g., “Can subtract with help” or “Can solve word problems independently.”

12. Draw learning inferences (Element 12)
    → Identify what went wrong and who needs help where.
    ✅ Tip: Group students by learning need for targeted teaching.

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🟫 PHASE 6: Action and Policy Feedback

13. Share results (Element 13)
    → Provide feedback to students (verbally or via notebooks), share with parents during meetings, and report to school leaders.

14. Use data to improve teaching (Element 14)
    → Modify your lesson plans: reteach weak areas, provide enrichment for strong learners, and adjust teaching pace.

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🧠 Example in Action (Grade 3 – Reading Comprehension)

Step	Classroom Application
1–2	You select "infer meaning from text" as your goal.
3	Prepare 3 short reading paragraphs with questions.
4–5	Try on a small group, then administer to all.
6–7	Record responses in a checklist.
8–10	Analyze: 40% students didn’t understand implicit meaning.
11–12	You group students for guided reading.
13–14	Share data in teacher meeting, plan remedial classes.

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✅ Benefits of Using the Assessment Cycle

• Encourages data-driven teaching
• Ensures personalized support for students
• Improves teacher planning and accountability
• Promotes continuous professional development