Evaluation of the intercultural understanding field trial

In 2011, the Innovation and Next Practice Division (INP) of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) conducted a field trial on intercultural understanding in partnership with a research and evaluation team from the University of Melbourne and La Trobe University. The field trial was sponsored by the Languages, English as another Language (EAL) and Multicultural Education Division of DEECD.The primary research question guiding the field trial was: 1. What is the impact on student outcomes of teaching and learning practice for intercultural understanding? 2. The secondary research questions were. 3. What knowledge and skills do both learners and educators need for intercultural understanding? 4. How is effective practice identified and measured? 5. What intercultural understanding capabilities can be developed at each developmental stage of children and young people in different cultural contexts? In order to explore these questions, schools across Victoria were initially nominated by International Division, the Multicultural Education Unit and by regional directors and INP based on three core criteria, which included school culture, capability and connections within the school and the wider community. Following an expression of interest process, 26 schools, including one independent school and two catholic schools were selected. Participation in the field trial included the following aims: to stimulate thinking about current school policy and practice around intercultural understanding and interaction (ICU); to trial projects that support the field trial primary research question; to evaluate innovative 'next practice' and consider its relevance for the education system; to support the intercultural understanding general capability under consideration for inclusion in the Australian National Curriculum in 2013. The field trial was implemented by DEECD INP from February 2011 to December 2011 over three stages.