Description
In 1964 the Educational Research Unit established a Test Scoring Service after the purchase of an IBM 805 computer to electronically process test sheets. (Holdgate, Gwynne. The Role of the Educational Testing Centre, in Holdgate, Gwynne ed. Recruitment: General Staff, Clerical Staff and Apprentices. Educational Testing Centre Occasional Papers No. 3, May 1984: 9 V349; Powell, J P and E M Barrett. TERC 1961 - 1982: a brief history of a higher education Research and Development Centre: 5 V71) Dr Max Dunstan was placed in charge of this area. In July 1967 the name of this service was changed to the Educational Testing Centre (V71/20, V349). On 9 September 1968 Council changed the name of the Educational Research Unit to the Tertiary Education Research Centre. During its early years the work of the ETC primarily concerned supporting examination processes and providing feedback services to staff and students. In 1974 the ETC installed a high-volume optical mark reader which enabled rapid document-scanning for users both within UNSW and the wider community. (http://www.unsw.edu.au/learning/pve/catei.html Accessed: 24 October 2006) In 1978 Dr Dunstan was appointed Head of ETC and his position was removed from TERC's academic staff establishment. (Powell and Barrett: 8) In 1981 ETC introduced the Australasian Schools Competitions to provide analysis of educational achievement in primary and high schools. This proved very successful and in 1994 the concept went international. From 2006 this competition became known as the International Competitions and Assessments for Schools. (http://www.eaa.unsw.edu.au/about_eaa Accessed: 24 October 2006) On 3 March 1982 a decision was made to restructure the Tertiary Education Research Centre and the Educational Testing Centre was transferred to Unisearch as an autonomous unit (file 021810). From 16 May 1991 the Centre was transferred back to the main university within the Division of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor Tony Wicken (file 00084902). From 16 September 1991 this position became known as the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) (Focus 23 August 1991). The title of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor's position was changed to Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the Council meeting on 4 November 1991. After Professor John Niland took over as Vice-Chancellor on 6 July 1992, the Educational Testing Centre reported to the Bursar & Deputy Principal (Focus 8 May 1992). In 1995 as part of the administrative restructure resulting from the Chancellery Plan 1995 - 2000 (as dated 28 April 1995 and presented to the Planning Committee of Council on 3 May 1995) review process the Division of the Bursar and Deputy Principal was abolished and the Educational Testing Centre was transferred to the Division of the Executive Director Business and Finance. The Educational Testing Centre was moved to NewSouth Global effective 1 June 2001 (Chancellor's Committee of Council, 26 March 2001, resolution CC001/9). Allegations of misconduct within the Centre were raised and investigated by the NSW Auditor-General and the Ombudsman during 2001 and 2002. At its meeting on 26 November 2001 Council asked the Audit Committee to consider the Auditor-General's report which had been released in Parliament on 21 November 2001. The audit was undertaken by the UNSW Internal Audit Office, and following the subsequent investigations and report made by the NSW Ombudsman, the Audit Office made a number of recommendations which were discussed by Council at its meeting on 15 April 2002, adjourned to 29 April 2002. Council then passed a detailed resolution (resolution CL002/18) which in part addressed improved accountability for controlled entities. In August 2004 the unit was relaunched as Educational Assessment Australia (EAA) with Professor Peter Knapp as its Director. (http://www.unsw.edu.au/news/pad/articles/2004/aug/New_name_for_ETC.html Accessed: 24 October 2006) In 2006 it undertook testing in the following areas: English, Mathematics, Science, Computer Skills, Writing, Spelling, EFL, and Financial Literacy. (http://www.eaa.unsw.edu.au/about_eaa Accessed: 24 October 2006) On taking up the position of vice-chancellor in June 2006, Professor Fred Hilmer announced that a new portfolio, the Chief Operating Officer, would have responsibility for controlled entities. (Email to UNSW staff re Organisational Structure, 21 June 2006) In a further email dated 29 September 2006 with accompanying organisational charts Professor Hilmer stated that the Chief Operating Officer would oversee NewSouth Global and hence Educational Assessment Australia. (Email to UNSW staff re New Organisational Structure, 29 September 2006) In 2007 the Director of Educational Assessment Australia was Peter Knapp. Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 01/01/1964-