Examples of recent projects:
Policy and Program Evaluation

An evaluation of the Enhancing the Training of Mathematics and Science Teachers (ETMST) Program. PhillipsKPA worked collaboratively with the Office for Learning and Teaching and the ETMST project teams to design and conduct project specific evaluations.

The evaluation used a range of quantitative and qualitative techniques to understand and assess the outcomes of the National Foundation Skills Strategy project and its appropriateness and effectiveness.

An evaluation undertaken in association with ACIL Allen Consulting. Our role was to undertake consultations and longitudinal case studies to evaluate the impact of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Action plan across all Australian States and Territories. The methodology included 32 case studies in schools each year over 2012-2014 to provide the opportunity to elaborate in detail on 'what works' in 'what contexts' as well as identifying barriers and other issues which may impact on the efficacy of the Action Plan.

A research project exploring employer views on Work Integrated Learning (WIL), specifically, concerning the barriers limiting participation in WIL and the enablers that assist organisations to engage university students. Read the full report here.

The project considered the development of three Associate Degree Programs by the Department in partnership with a range of university and industry partners. The evaluation was focused on five key areas: the extent to which progress has been made towards integrating VET and HE, improvements in administrative processes including student tracking and enrolment, factors that support successful partnerships, targeting and gains in access by disadvantaged groups and an identification of innovations and potential future directions.

The Australian Government provided $300 million, over three years, of additional funding to government and non-government education authorities under the More Support for Students with Disabilities initiative. Under a National Partnership Agreement, education authorities had selected activities that would best support students, teachers and schools in their jurisdiction. PhillipsKPA was commissioned to evaluate the MSSD initiative from the implementation stage in 2012 to the final phase of reporting in 2015. The evaluation included consultations with all eight government education authorities and 16 non-government education authorities in every state and territory, mapping of outputs from each jurisdiction, extensive data gathering through fieldwork, 15 annual information seminars in each capital city and selected regional areas, and more than 40 case study examples of good practice. The evaluation concluded with a national launch of the final report in June 2015 in Canberra.

Evaluation of the effectiveness, appropriateness and outcomes of the Foundation Skills Workforce Development Project, a Commonwealth Government funded initiative focusing on priority area four of the National Foundation Skills Strategy for Adults which was in operation for twelve months over 2013 and 2014.

An educational needs study of two Local Government Areas informed by demographic trends, skills shortages, national and state policy settings, and economic development within the region.

Review of the Department's reporting requirements for Australian Universities, including an analysis of the extent and proportionality (to the amount of related funding) of the Department's reporting requirements.

Advice to the Higher Education Base Funding Review Panel