Evidence-informed education to improve student outcomes

Minister for Education Dan Tehan today announced the board members and a new name for the education institute that will drive evidence-based improvements to deliver improved student outcomes.

The Morrison Government is providing $25 million to fund the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) over the next four years to produce high-quality education evidence. The states and territories will provide an additional $25 million.

Mr Tehan said the establishment of AERO delivered another of the recommendations to improve student outcomes made by David Gonski in the Review to Achieve Educational Excellence in Australian Schools.

Dr Lisa O’Brien will serve as the inaugural Chair of the AERO Board, taking up her position once AERO is incorporated in early 2021. The inaugural Board of AERO also includes:

  • Emeritus Professor Colleen Hayward AM (Deputy Chair)
  • Sir Kevan Collins
  • Ms Judith Fahey
  • Ms Kerri Jones
  • Ms Leslie Loble
  • Mr Roger Massy-Greene

“Dr O’Brien has worked in leadership roles across the public, not-for-profit and commercial sectors over the last three decades and I look forward to working with her and the AERO Board,” Mr Tehan said.

AERO chief executive officer Dr Jenny Donovan said the organisation would work to support a better understanding of evidence in teaching.

“By improving access to and the quality of evidence, we hope educators and education professionals can make decisions confidently, leading to improved education outcomes for children and young people in Australia,” Dr Donovan said.

Information about AERO and its resources can be found here: www.edresearch.edu.au.

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