History

ACER was established in Melbourne, Australia, in 1930 with a grant from the Carnegie Corporation. From a staff of five, ACER has grown into one of the world’s leading educational research bodies with an expanding international presence. ACER has more than 430 staff working in offices in Adelaide, Brisbane, Dubai, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, London, Melbourne, New Delhi, Perth and Sydney.

Prior to the establishment of ACER there had been no educational institution with a nation-wide interest. The first research undertaken was: the standardisation of scholastic and mental testing for Australia; a study of the number of children aged 10 to 18 in each school grade or type of occupation; and the fundamental problems of the primary school curriculum.

ACER’s early focus was on research, rather than service activities, and making ACER a clearinghouse of research information, with an emphasis on primary and secondary education.

ACER has been instrumental in the implementation, management and reporting of large-scale international surveys such as the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), the IEA International Civic and Citizenship Study (ICCS) and the IEA International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS).

The early years

ACER developed as:

• a centre devoted to the scientific study of education;
• a source of reference on what was the best and latest in educational thought and practice; and
• a supporter of progressive education.

During the Second World War, ACER was involved in psychological testing for personnel selection to the Australian Armed Services and government departments. ACER also worked on publications dealing with evacuation possibilities, and advised the Department of Post-War Reconstruction in Australia. For the three years from 1942 ACER was mostly concerned with the war effort, with regular work suspended. Its war time work helped lead to government financial support from 1946 and confirmed it as a significant national institution in Australia.

Post-war years

ACER’s focus widened to include more emphasis on testing. Work included: a large growth in library work; establishment of a semi-autonomous test division; conferences of test users; research into test theory; Australia-wide curriculum survey; university study to determine predictions of academic success; and the beginning of studies into adolescence and unemployment.

Recent development

ACER has grown rapidly in recent decades, opening its Sydney office in 2002, followed by offices in Dubai and New Delhi in 2004, Brisbane in 2006, Perth in 2007, Adelaide in 2009, London in 2014, Jakarta in 2015 and Kuala Lumpur in 2018.