Parlo Singh|Mariann Märtsin|Kathryn Glasswell
Dilemmatic spaces: high-stakes testing and the possibilities of collaborative knowledge work to generate learning innovations
Griffith University|Griffith University|Griffith University
abstractthis paper examines collaborative researcherpractitioner knowledge work around assessment data culturally diverse low socioeconomic school communities queensland australia specifically paper draws interview accounts work cohort schoolbased researchers acted mediators bridging knowledge flows local university cluster schools draw concept recontextualisation explore processes knowledge mediation dialogues around student assessment data design instructional innovations argue critical policy studies need explore complex ways neoliberal education policies enacted local sites moreover suggest analysis collaborative knowledge work designed improve student learning outcomes low socioeconomic school communities necessitates attention principles regulating knowledge flows across boundaries addition necessitates attention ways mediators navigate dilemmatic spaces anxieties affectsfeelings order generate innovative learning designs current global context highstakes national testing accountability regimeskeywords knowledge workaffectassessment datarecontextualisationboundary crossingdilemmatic spaces acknowledgementsthe project described article funded australian research council linkage scheme lp0990585 ethics approval number gu ref eps2309hrecnotes1 official website developed acara australian curriculum assessment reporting authority citation2012a citation2011b httpwwwacaraeduaudefaultasp provides school performance data naplan encourages comparison test results across schools according icsea scale index community socioeducational advantage scale developed specifically school website purpose identifying schools serving students statistically similar backgrounds acara citation2012a p 4 formula icsea socioeconomic advantage remoteness percentage indigenous students percentage disadvantaged students languages background english socioeconomic advantage calculated drawing data student enrolment records australian bureau statistics data parental occupation education level language background acara citation2012a pp 10122 following dean citation2014 p 151 distinguish neoliberalism thought collective governmental regulatory development specific apparatus techniques high stakes testing league tables forth policies enacted thought collective discursive regime engaged kind conversation comprising field dissension spaces different voices processes discovery time permitting crystallization consensus dean citation2014 p 1513 braun maguire ball citation2010 use term enactment reflect understanding policies interpreted translated diverse policy actors engage making meaning official texts specific contexts practices4 national partnerships described queensland government website historic investment 900 million 2009 2015 improve educational outcomes students joint state federal partnership focus partnership agreements areas teaching quality literacy numeracy low socioeconomic school communities students disabilities empowering local schools schools identified receiving additional funds agreement listed website httpeducationqldgovaunationalpartnershipsindexhtml5 focus predominantly accounts 5 sbrs took key role sbrs one sbr also lead university researcher6 data analysed paper taken interviews following participants addition total 290 teachers participated partnership project course three years mid 2009mid 2012 high levels teacher mobility meant changes staff frequent resulting large numbers teachers part project different time intervals different time periods one audit instance march 2012 121 teachers involved project7 approach similar proposed lai mcnaughton citation2009 p 22 describe researcherdeveloper model researchpractice collaboration one university cluster schools serving poor suburban community largely indigenous ethnic minority groups new zealand specifically suggest school staff needed technical theoretical assistance learning make meaning externally internally generated data8 interview protocol guide research information sheet sent participants week prior interview guide covered nine questions five themes themes included 1 smart education partnership 2 multilevel capacity building intervention around diagnostic approach assessment needsbased teaching 3 collaborative innovative model school improvement 4 implications educational policy schooling social justice 5 sustainability leadership professional capacities quality classroom instruction9 navigating thinking program encouraged students become knowledgeable creative critical strategic thinkers program implemented higher order thinking core curriculum similar way project zero harvard university graduate school education httpwwwpzharvardedunewsphp fair go project university western sydney httpwwwuwseduaueducationsoeresearch10 interview instrument 10 broad questions aimed elicit information 1 role sbrs 2 range work activities undertaken 3 rewarding challenging experiences role sbrs worked specifically cluster schools also across whole set 12 schools collaboration lead university industry partner researchers sbrs experienced teachers undertaken professional development work teachers prior joining project limited research experience one sbrs experienced researcher 15 years experience two doctorate qualifications sbr worked cohort approximately 17 teachers worked project 12 months more11 school leader interview data collected author 1 sbr interview data collected author 2 learning innovation project led author 3 spent three years local schools supervising work sbrs working closely classroom teachers lead literacy teachers principals district administrators12 respondents dealt topic frequently made reference topic throughout interviews