Evaluation of Victorian Professional Learning Communities (PLC) Initiative in The Education Sector

⁠⁠⁠Evaluation of Victorian Professional Learning Communities (PLC) Initiative in the education sector

The Department of Education and Training (the Department) is seeking professional services for an independent evaluation of the Victorian Professional Learning Communities (PLC) initiative. The required services include:
* An impact evaluation to measure the impact of the PLCs on teacher self-efficacy, collaboration, classroom effectiveness and student learning, and developmental evaluation to provide timely and regular feedback and insights that will inform the adaptive development of the PLC initiative;
* A social cost-benefit analysis of the initiative.

The proposed contract term is an initial 12 months (July 2019 – July 2020 – Year 1) with a further option for extension for an additional 12 months (July 2020 - July 2021- Year 2). The anticipated scope of work may be provided by a sole supplier or multiple supplier arrangement, in consideration for the best value for money, at the department’s discretion.

The supplier/s will be required to collect and report on quantitative and qualitative data frequently throughout the analysis. The evaluation will be an integrated component of the Victorian PLC model development and monitoring. The approach sought by the Department is therefore highly collaborative, adaptive and innovative.

The supplier/s ability to demonstrate relevant capability, knowledge and experience in the following will be highly desirable:
* designing and delivering impact and developmental evaluation(s) and/or cost-benefit analysis for educational initiatives in school sector;
* designing and delivering evaluation(s) of system-wide teacher capability building initiatives (such as collaborative learning practices, teacher professional development and its impact on student learning );
* designing and delivering evaluation(s) in which findings were used to inform adaptations to different levels of implementation such as system, region, school, teacher and students levels;
* designing and delivering evaluation(s) relating to Australian school education context.