Framework for Education and Training Statistics
CONTACT
National Centre for Education and Training Statistics
Australian Bureau of Statistics, Canberra
Telephone (02) 6252 6175
DESCRIPTION
The framework presented in Information Paper: Measuring Learning in Australia - A Framework for Education and Training Statistics, 2003 (ABS cat. no. 4213.0) is a suggested way of thinking about 'learning' (education and training) statistics. The Framework was a joint initiative of: the Department of Education, Science and Training, the former Australian National Training Authority, all State and Territory education and training departments, and the ABS. It was developed by the National Centre for Education and Training Statistics, within the ABS. The Framework is available to agencies to guide their data collection work and their analysis of data. Accordingly, agencies are strongly encouraged to use the Framework to assist informed decision-making, as it provides a model which identifies various elements, has a multi-level structure; and reflects both activity and industry perspectives.
The seven key elements about which information is required are:
- Context: representing the wider environment within which decisions are made about learning activities. This element incorporates the key dimensions of time and geography;
- Participants: those who are undertaking learning activities;
- Non-participants: those who are not undertaking learning activities;
- Providers: organisations, and in some cases individuals, which deliver learning activities;
- Resources: the financial, human and physical resources which may be necessary for learning to occur;
- Activities: learning activities, activities of educational institutions, as well as the activities of non-participants; and
- Outputs and outcomes: the results and/or effects of learning activities.
In order to provide
a comprehensive statistical picture, a three-level information structure may be overlaid on the Framework model:
- Individual: this level is concerned with information about people, because individual learning pathways are a key aspect of the framework. The main statistical unit for this level is the person, but others include households and families;
- Organisational: this level is concerned with information about organisations, including educational institutions and employers. One of the main statistical units for this level is the enterprise; and
- Systemic: this level represents the broadest perspective of the framework, and is concerned with strategic measures which have national significance. The main statistical units for this level are governments (State/Territory and Commonwealth), and other aggregates agreed to be nationally relevant.
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