Making a Difference for Indigenous Children

Abstract

The Make It Count project aims to provide better mathematical outcomes for Indigenous children, and, to that end, the Swan Valley cluster identified various initiatives. This paper reports on a research project that investigated those initiatives and resultant changes in practice. First, a modified First Steps in Mathematics professional learning program was provided for Education Assistants and Aboriginal and Islander Education Officers to upgrade their mathematical and pedagogical content knowledge. Second, elements of best practice in teaching Indigenous children were investigated. It is apparent that genuine professional learning communities have begun to develop in the wake of the professional learning and that there are clear directions for pedagogical practice that may lead to improved student attendance and engagement.