Evaluation of Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education

Evaluation of Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education

Researchers:

ANU: Prof Nicholas BiddleA/Prof Naomi Priest & Lucy Ellen

Social Research Centre: Karen Kellard & Dr Catherine Waite

Context:

Evaluation of Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education is a major program developed by Reconciliation Australia and launched in 2015.

Narragunnawali is a word from the language of the Ngunnawal people, Traditional Owners of the land on which Reconciliation Australia’s Canberra office is located, meaning alive, wellbeing, coming together and peace.”

The program supports all schools and early learning services in Australia to develop environments that foster a higher level of knowledge and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions. Through the program and its free-to-access online platform, participants are assisted to find practical ways to introduce meaningful reconciliation initiatives in the classroom, around the school and with the community”

The program provides a framework for driving whole-scale change, with benefits for all students; all teaching and non-teaching staff; as well as for parents, families and the wider community. Narragunnawali aims to contribute to the five dimensions of reconciliation in Australia – race relations; equality and equity; unity; institutional integrity; and historical acceptance.

The Narragunnawali program comprises four key components:

  • Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs)
  • Curriculum Resources
  • Professional Learning
  • Narragunnawali Awards

General Outline of the Project:

Description and Methodology:

The Australian National University (ANU) in partnership with the Social Research Centre is in the process of the second Phase of conducting an evaluation of Narragunnawali. The first phase of the evaluation commenced in early 2015 and continued to 2017. The second phase will continue from 2018 to 2020. The evaluation involve the use of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including surveys, interviews at both individual and school level, and administrative data analysis.

The objectives of the evaluation are:

  • Monitoring - To enable evidence-based modifications, enhancements or changes to be made to the program within and beyond the project plan; and
  • Evaluation - To report successes and challenges to the program to stakeholders and funding partners

Download an overview of the evaluation here.

Evaluation Reports - Phase 1

Evaluation Reports - Phase 2

Evaluation Reports - Phase 3

Further Information:

Please contact Nicholas Biddle via email or Ph: 61 466 841 595

Project Funding:

Reconciliation Australia

Ethics Committee Clearance:

The ethical aspects of this research have been approved by the ANU Human Research Ethics Committee. If you have any concerns or complaints about how this research has been conducted, please contact:

Ethics Manager
The ANU Human Research Ethics Committee
The Australian National University
Telephone: +61 2 6125 3427
Email: Human.Ethics.Officer@anu.edu.au

Updated:  28 February 2023/Responsible Officer:  Centre Director/Page Contact:  CASS Marketing & Communications