The Preschool Outcomes Measure (POM) tool, undergoing development under the auspices of the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), is poised to transform early childhood education in Australia. The initiative, part of the Preschool Reform Agreement between Australia and state and territory governments, aims to establish a validated assessment system that enhances the quality of preschool education. By focusing on critical domains such as executive function, oral language, and literacy, the POM tool seeks to provide teachers and educators with invaluable insights into children’s learning progress and development.
Development and Trial Process
The development of the Preschool Outcomes Measure tool is currently in the Small-Scale Trial phase, which commenced in September 2024 and will continue until the end of March. Facilitators from ACER have embarked on visits to over 100 preschool programs across diverse regions, including the Northern Territory, Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, and Tasmania. These visits are pivotal in collecting feedback and insights from educators and teachers, which are essential in refining and shaping the next iteration of the tool. This mid-point update has provided significant insights that will inform the structure and content of the National Applied Trial scheduled for later in the year.
The widespread engagement during the Small-Scale Trial demonstrates the importance of adapting the POM tool to meet the varied needs of Australian preschools. The feedback collected from educators and teachers underscores the necessity of creating an assessment tool that is not only comprehensive but also adaptable to the unique educational contexts found across the nation. This responsiveness ensures that the POM tool will be a valuable resource for educators, allowing them to better understand and support the diverse learning needs of preschool children.
Inclusion of First Nations Perspectives
One of the most significant aspects of the POM tool’s development is the deliberate integration of First Nations perspectives. The trial includes preschools that serve First Nations communities, ensuring that the tool is culturally responsive and respectful. ACER has collaborated with Ninti One’s cultural support team to engage effectively with these communities, fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding. This collaboration ensures that the POM tool reflects the unique cultural contexts and strengths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
The inclusion of First Nations perspectives goes beyond mere representation; it ensures that the assessment materials are relevant and meaningful to First Nations children. Wingaru has been engaged to develop culturally integrated materials for the National Applied Trial, working alongside First Nations experts to co-design tasks and resources. This ongoing collaboration reflects a strong commitment to creating an inclusive early childhood assessment system that recognizes and values the diverse backgrounds of all Australian children.
Flexible Assessment Options
Feedback from the Small-Scale Trial has highlighted the critical need for a range of assessment options to accommodate the diverse settings and philosophies within Australian preschools. Educators have expressed the necessity for flexibility in observing and assessing children’s learning, acknowledging that a one-size-fits-all approach is insufficient. The POM tool addresses this need by allowing for diverse evidence interpretation using national learning progressions, which cater to various observational and assessment methods, including observation, reflection, and one-to-one tasks.
This flexibility in assessment methods ensures that the POM tool can be used effectively across different educational environments. Educators have praised the varied assessment options, noting that they align well with different educational settings and pedagogical philosophies. The feedback from trial participants underscores the importance of having assessment methods that are adaptable and reflective of the unique contexts within which children learn and grow. The psychometric analysis conducted by ACER guarantees that these methods are valid and reliable across diverse preschool settings, further enhancing the tool’s credibility and effectiveness.
Learning Progressions and Strengths
Central to the success of the POM tool is the use of learning progressions to describe children’s strengths in domains such as oral language, literacy, and executive function. The tasks within the Small-Scale Trial are designed to capture the broad range of capabilities children demonstrate during their preschool years. These capabilities are documented in national learning progressions, providing a structured and comprehensive framework for assessing children’s development.
Educators have expressed appreciation for the structured manner in which they can describe children’s abilities using the POM tool. Reflection tasks, in particular, have received positive feedback for encouraging more focused observations and providing detailed language to articulate children’s learning. These tasks offer a nuanced view of children’s abilities, supporting a broader perspective on the various learning domains. By highlighting children’s strengths, the POM tool enables educators to tailor their teaching approaches to better meet the individual needs of each child.
Looking Ahead to the National Applied Trial
As the Small-Scale Trial concludes in March, the focus shifts to the forthcoming National Applied Trial. This next phase will involve the development of the POM tool’s subsequent iteration, incorporating the insights and feedback garnered from the ongoing trial. Teachers and educators will play an integral role in this phase, supported by professional learning resources that will aid them in exploring the draft tool and integrating it into their daily educational practices.
Efforts are also being made to align existing validated formative assessment tools with the new national learning progressions. This synchronization is crucial for states and territories that wish to participate in the National Applied Trial while continuing to use their pre-existing assessment frameworks. By ensuring compatibility and coherence between different assessment tools, the POM initiative aims to create a seamless and unified assessment system across Australia.
Collaborative Planning and Implementation
The Preschool Outcomes Measure (POM) tool, currently being developed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), is set to revolutionize early childhood education across Australia. This initiative, part of the Preschool Reform Agreement between the Australian government and state and territory governments, strives to create a validated assessment system aimed at improving the quality of preschool education. The POM tool focuses on critical areas including executive function, oral language, and literacy. Its primary goal is to equip teachers and educators with valuable insights into children’s learning progress and developmental trajectory. By assessing these key domains, the POM tool promises to provide a comprehensive understanding of each child’s educational needs, enabling a tailored approach to teaching that supports their growth. This significant advancement in preschool education aims to ensure that every child in Australia receives the best possible start to their academic journey.
