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Prep–Year 10

ABLES trial (2019–21)

Background

The QCAA conducted a trial of the Abilities Based Learning and Education Support (ABLES) resources in 20 Queensland schools during 2019. The trial sought to determine the usefulness and impact of the suite of ABLES resources for Queensland schools.

An external evaluation of the use of the ABLES assessments and resources during the trial was conducted by Queensland University of Technology (QUT) academics Professor Suzanne Carrington, Associate Dean (Research), and Dr Julie Dillon-Wallace, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Education.

In 2020, the trial was extended and expanded to include a greater number of schools. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in schools, the trial was further extended until 30 June 2021. An evaluation of the extended trial was conducted internally by the QCAA.

Overall, a total of 94 schools trialled the ABLES assessments and resources in some capacity across 2019–21.

Trial findings

The evaluation found that the ABLES assessments and resources support teachers to plan for students with disabilities and diverse learning needs in specific contexts, schools, and for particular students. In these contexts, schools reported:

  • strengthened collaborative planning processes
  • enhanced confidence in identifying students’ level of understanding
  • broadened teaching practices aimed at targeting students’ specific learning needs.

To support the evaluation, the experiences of three trial schools were documented as case studies (see below).

In response to the findings of the ABLES trial, the QCAA Board approved the continued access to the suite of ABLES resources for Queensland schools from January 2022.

Case studies of trial schools

To inform the evaluation of the trial, in-depth case studies of two sample schools were developed. Case study schools have been de-identified.

Evaluation reports

More information

For further information about the ABLES trial in Queensland, please contact ables@qcaa.qld.edu.au.

Additionally, schools interested in accessing the resources can find more information at ABLES for my school.

Last updated:
26 November 2021

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

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