Education Research and Policy

Education research and policy

In a dynamic global and regional education environment, EQAP’s Education Research and Policy Unit is empowering Pacific ministries of education to take more ownership in improving education quality through innovation and evidence-based reforms. EQAP achieves this by collaborating with Pacific education ministries in using national data to formulate, conduct, analyse and use research findings to inform policy reforms and informed decision-making.

EQAP supports countries with policy, research, psychometrics, and school leadership reforms. EQAP also foster communities of practice in psychometrics, policy, research and school leadership through the Pacific Education Research Network (PERN) of research officers in member countries.

We also collaborate with countries on policy and research initiatives. We use a variety of engagement modalities with countries — capacity building, capacity development, capacity supplementation and capacity substitution. In addition, we work with other Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP) agencies and international development partners to advance psychometrics, policy, research, and school leadership work in the region.

What we do

We support countries with policy, research, psychometrics, and school leadership.
We collaborate with countries on policy and research initiatives.
We use a variety of modes of engagement with countries, capacity building, including capacity development, capacity supplementation and capacity substitution.
We work with other CROP agencies and international development partners to advance psychometrics, policy, research, and school leadership work in the region.
We foster communities of practice in psychometrics, policy, research and school leadership through the Pacific Education Research Network (PERN) of research officers in member countries.

Our focus areas

Psychometrics

We develop, design, and implement psychometric analysis frameworks using classical and modern test approaches.
We calibrate education assessment instruments, perform statistical analyses to assess item performance and test reliability to improve measurement precision.
We conduct performance standard-setting benchmarking and cut scores for assessments.
We provide empirical data analysis guidelines and facilitate standard-setting meetings with subject experts in improving national and regional large-scale assessment tools.

Education research data analysis

We conduct data analysis for research projects using national and regional large-scale assessments and early-grade assessments.
We develop data analysis frameworks, and report and interpret findings and results using advanced statistical techniques.
We work with interdisciplinary teams, international agencies, national and regional research institutions and research partners in a joint-data analysis partnership.

Policy assessment

We conduct comprehensive diagnoses of education systems by evaluating education policies. This includes using or adapting existing tools, such as the World Bank’s SABER tools and developing new policy assessment tools. Additionally, we conduct institutional capacity analyses to determine the readiness of education systems to implement policies effectively.

Questionnaire development

We develop contextual questionnaires to gather data on factors influencing student learning in the Pacific at the regional and national levels. This involves identifying and analysing the latest trends and factors that impact student learning outcomes and using this data to inform targeted interventions and policy recommendations.

Data analysis and reporting

We conduct in-depth analyses of data collected from contextual questionnaires to identify and understand the factors influencing student learning. This includes comprehensive statistical analysis and interpretation of data trends to derive meaningful insights.
We prepare reports and create engaging presentations that effectively communicate findings to the various stakeholders, including educators, policy makers and the community.
We provide recommendations based on the analysis to support targeted interventions and continuous improvement in education practices.

Lead research

We lead, support and advise the development, design, and implementation of research studies by each team within EQAP, facilitating the development of research frameworks guidelines and procedures for conducting education research at the regional and country levels.
We coordinate the implementation of collaborative research studies involving EQAP and member countries, EQAP and other SPC divisions, and EQAP with international research agencies. For example, we coordinate and implement PacREF research.

Provide research training

We provide technical and advisory support for national research initiatives.
We coordinate education research studies in member countries in collaboration with EQAP teams.
We Provide advice and follow-ups on interventions based on research findings.
We facilitate and coordinate research forums among member countries to share research findings and best practices.
We assist countries in identifying, coordinating, and administering training and staff development needs related to research.
We provide key research training for education personnel and other stakeholders in the member countries.

Leadership capabilities

We facilitate the revision of the regional leadership standards into a capability-based framework.
We support the revision of national leadership standards in alignment with regional capabilities to meet current and future needs of member countries.
We develop frameworks for mapping and alignment of national to regional capabilities.
We support the development of a reliable assessment framework for whole school standards.

SMILE

We support the review and/or design of an appraisal system that supports effective school management processes.
We developed a country web-based application, SMILE (Strategy for Monitoring and Improving School Leaders Effectiveness), to improve the monitoring of school principals' performance in managing and leading their schools.
We develop assessment criteria that are valid and reliable to accurately evaluate performance.