About CESE
The Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation (CESE) was created in 2012. We are the central point of education evidence within the NSW Department of Education, and Australia's first dedicated hub of education data and evaluation.
Read about our impact and priorities in our overview document (PDF, 400kB).
Read our current priority work (PDF, 170kB).
Our work is guided by an Advisory Council.
Our purpose
Education is an area of major public spending. Finding out what works helps us understand where investment will have the most impact. We ensure that the public get value for money, and students have the best opportunities to succeed.
CESE is an employer of choice. We want to be known for being collaborative, responsive, impartial, trusted and rigorous.
Produce evidence-informed research and publications
We share what works and provide resources for educators, policy-makers, researchers and the wider community. Search our publications.
Develop and manage online tools
We provide schools and the public access to information, streamline processes and improve practices. Online tools include:
- Scout
- The School Finder
- PLAN2
- Best Start Year 7 assessment
- Best Start Kindergarten assessment
- VALID.
Help educators to engage with data and evidence
We develop and deliver resources, professional learning and capacity building programs to provide practical support for front line educators in data use, evaluation and school planning; including:
- The School Excellence Framework & evidence guide
- The evaluation resource hub
- The teaching & learning toolkit
- Registered professional learning.
Collect, analyse and report on essential education data
We coordinate annual data collections, as well as the Tell Them From Me surveys. Open data is published on the NSW Education data hub. Historical information can be found on the History of NSW schools website. You can also submit a data request.
Evaluate education programs and strategies
Our work informs policy and decision-making across the sector. We evaluate major programs including:
- Literacy and Numeracy Strategy interventions
- Great Teaching, Inspired Learning
- Connected Communities
- Rural and Remote Education Blueprint
- Supported Students, Successful Students.
Ensure data quality, integrity and confidentiality
We establish department-wide policies and protocols to manage, protect and safely share information.
