An important element of the trial was a rigorous, independent evaluation of the trial and the program which was conducted in the region during terms 2 and 3, 2010. This evaluation sought to inform the Department on the extent to which the model trialled in Illawarra and South East Region benefitted students with additional learning needs and their class teachers.
The Department appointed WestWood Spice, independent community sector consultants, to undertake the evaluation of the trial. A program evaluation advisory panel of highly credentialed academics was established to oversee and support the evaluation process. Members of the advisory panel included Professor Stephen Lamb (The University of Melbourne) and Professor Phil Foreman (The University of Newcastle). Professor Foreman is also chair of the NSW Institute of Teachers. The evaluation analysed the model's effectiveness and impact as well as the effectiveness of the implementation process.
As a result of the evaluation after two terms, the trial was extended and a further follow-up evaluation was completed by WestWood Spice in June 2011.
These independent evaluation reports, together with reports of evaluation activities conducted by the Department, are available at the links in the right hand column on this page.
