Geoff Masters

Geoff Masters

Chief Executive of the Australian Council for Educational Research

Professor Geoff Masters AO has served as Chief Executive Officer and board member of the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) since 1998. He has a PhD in educational measurement, and has published widely in the fields of educational assessment and research. His contributions to education have been recognised through the award of the Australian College of Educators’ Medal in 2009 and his appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2014.

47 total results
Gonski, learning and the case for changes
Gonski, learning and the case for changes

Professor Geoff Masters AO has been saying recently that the Gonski 2.0 recommendations may provide our best hope of reversing the long-term decline in the reading, mathematics and science levels of Australian 15-year-olds. Why does he say this? Find out more in his latest Teacher column.

The role of evidence in teaching and learning
The role of evidence in teaching and learning

Much discussion of evidence-based teaching is based on a narrow definition that would benefit from a broader recognition of the role of evidence in teaching and learning, Professor Geoff Masters AO writes in his latest Teacher column.

Gonski's model for schools
Gonski's model for schools

'Some have interpreted Gonski’s proposal as requiring teachers to develop an individual learning plan for every student. This is impossible in practice.' The recent Gonski report calls for a new model of school education. This is a big call. What is this new model? Professor Geoff Masters AO discusses.

What is ‘equity' in education?
What is ‘equity' in education?

Equity in education is often viewed as equivalence or sameness. A more useful way to view equity is through the lens of ‘fairness’, Professor Geoff Masters AO writes in his new Teacher column.

Is setting higher standards the answer?
Is setting higher standards the answer?

Raising the expected performance standard in each year of school and holding all teachers and students accountable for achieving these higher standards may not be the most effective way to improve levels of performance in Australian schools, Professor Geoff Masters AO writes in his latest Teacher column.

A different way to organise the school curriculum
A different way to organise the school curriculum

There are good reasons to rethink how we organise the school curriculum. An alternative would be to structure the curriculum as a sequence of proficiency levels unrelated to age or year level, according to Professor Geoff Masters AO.

Shifting the focus of NAPLAN
Shifting the focus of NAPLAN

The decision to move NAPLAN online provides an opportunity to place less emphasis on comparing the performances of schools and more emphasis on supporting student learning, according to Professor Geoff Masters AO.

But can we measure it?
But can we measure it?

It’s often asserted that some things can’t be measured, Professor Geoff Masters AO writes in his latest column. But how true is this? And if we can’t measure something, should we stop pretending we can teach or develop it?

The school curriculum: about time
The school curriculum: about time

'Too often in our schools, the time-bound curriculum does not deliver learning experiences matched to individuals’ present levels of achievement and learning needs,' Professor Geoff Masters AO writes in his latest Teacher column.

Assessment online: informing teaching and learning
Assessment online: informing teaching and learning

Online assessments are capable of providing significantly improved feedback to teaching and learning. Experience in schools is demonstrating the potential of online assessment – provided the foundations are right.