Context and Challenge
In 2023, the Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst (CEDB) began a strategic initiative to strengthen mathematics teaching and learning through the development of localised, evidence-informed units of work. While these units reflected strong pedagogy, a key gap emerged: the absence of a consistent, curriculum-aligned assessment framework to measure student progress and guide instruction.
At the same time, schools sought to reduce teacher workload, boost data literacy, and make student learning visible and actionable.
The Solution
To address these challenges, CEDB partnered with Essential Assessment (EA), integrating EA’s ‘Flexi’ assessment tool to design customised assessments aligned directly to each CEDB unit. This gave schools the flexibility to assess what they were teaching – when and how they needed – while generating real-time, curriculum-aligned data to inform planning and support.
Professional learning was a cornerstone of the rollout. Teachers and leaders engaged in workshops, webinars, and collaborative sessions to build assessment capability and embed consistent practices across all 29 schools.
Impact and Insights
In 2024, more than 30,000 assessments were completed across the CEDB, with a balanced focus on:
- Number and Algebra: 39.3%
- Measurement and Space: 28.5%
- Statistics and Probability: 28.1%
Key insights from the data include:
- Kindergarten growth in Data Literacy: Strong gains in Statistics and Probability (0.75) reflect the success of play-based, conceptually rich learning
- Years 2–5 strength in Number: Steady growth (0.5 annually) in Number and Algebra indicates the impact of fluency routines and reasoning strategies embedded in planning
- Year 6 as a catch-up point: Significant improvement across strands demonstrates the effectiveness of targeted revision and intervention for students below standard
Equally important was a cultural shift in assessment use. The even distribution of pre- (37.4%), mid- (31.6%), and post-assessments (31.0%) shows assessment is now embedded throughout the learning cycle – not just used for end-of-term reporting. Teachers are differentiating instruction, adjusting in real time, and reflecting meaningfully on their impact.
The data also confirms intentional coverage of the full curriculum, avoiding an over-focus on Number. However, fewer assessments in Kindergarten and Year One highlight a key opportunity: strengthening early years assessment confidence and consistency.
Lessons Learned
- Start early: Early assessment helps close foundational gaps
- Use data to teach, not just report: Ongoing assessment informs responsive teaching throughout each unit
- Invest in professional learning: Teachers need timely support to interpret and act on data confidently
Looking Ahead
To deepen and sustain impact, the CEDB will focus on:
- Strengthening early years assessment: Supporting Kindergarten and Year One teachers with diagnostic tools to identify entry points and guide intervention
- Growing teacher capacity: Continuing data coaching, moderation support, and collaborative analysis to embed consistent instructional use of data
- Empowering leaders: Providing tools and frameworks for principals to track growth, evaluate impact, and lead evidence-based improvement
- Embedding system-wide professional learning: Ongoing in-school coaching, targeted webinars, and tailored sessions to build assessment literacy at all levels
A System Moving Together
Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst is demonstrating the power of coordinated, system-wide change. With shared tools, a common language, and collective commitment to evidence-based practice, schools are reducing fragmentation and building momentum together.
This evolving culture of assessment is more than just data collection; it’s about clarity, collaboration, and using evidence to elevate teaching and learning. As the CEDB enters the next phase of its journey, it stands as a model of how systems can lead with purpose, empower their educators, and centre every learner’s growth.
Explore EA’s Capabilities
How can digital assessment resources help amplify your classroom impact? Trial EA today and discover how the platform’s flexible, future-oriented features can help you meet every student’s mathematics needs.
