The Division of Educational Research and Evaluation in keeping with the directive of the Ministry of Education and in alignment with the Strategic Plan of the overall Ministry, prepared its operational plan.

VISION:
A technology-driven proactive organization supplying research-based information to its stakeholders.

MISSION:
The DERE is committed to supporting the ongoing renewal and modernization of the education system through the creation of a culture of research in the Ministry of Education and excellence in assessment and evaluation processes for the benefit of all stakeholders.

• Integrity
• Trust
• Timeliness
• Team-work
• Accountability
• Customer service
• Commitment; Empathy

PURPOSE:
Our purpose is to satisfy the decision-making and information needs of policy-makers, administrators, educators and other stakeholders, by providing them with research-based data and information.

GOAL:
To improve the quality of education in Trinidad and Tobago.

• To work in collaboration with other divisions in the planning and implementation of national examinations
• To prepare and evaluate assessments on a timely basis
.
• To evaluate school programmes implemented by the Ministry of Education.
• To facilitate research activities requested by stakeholders of the Ministry of Education.
• To develop an information sharing capability
• To establish fora for teachers, divisions and stakeholders of the MOE to exchange information and best practices.

ROLE AND FUNCTION OF THE DIVISION OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH AND EVALUATION

The DERE was established on October 21st, 1994, based on recommendations made by the National Task Force on Education, 1993. The DERE is a key player in the process of reforming the Ministry of Education. It is involved in all the initiatives aimed at strengthening the planning, management and implementation capability of the organization in its thrust for increased efficiency and effectiveness.

• To inquire into and inform on the status and circumstances of quality education delivery in the school system and to use the information to generate data which supports high standards and good practice;
• To monitor and evaluate the quality of programmes of the education system;
• The development and maintenance of a system of research and evaluation of the education sector using current information technology;
• The promotion of a research and evaluation culture throughout the education system;
• The generation and sourcing of quality information required for critical decision-making by administrators, teachers, parents and other stakeholders;
• The development, implementation and maintenance of systems for the continuous assessment of student performance at all levels of the education system;
• The development of internal policies, structures and procedures for undertaking and conducting research, sector-wide evaluation and testing and assessment activities;
• The timely publication and dissemination of reports;
• The provision of advice or assistance to other divisions of the Ministry of Education as regards development of internal policies, structures and procedures for undertaking research and evaluation activities;
• The provision of library and information services that support the activities of the Ministry of Education and its various clients;
• Collaboration with other local, regional and international educational institutions and agencies engaged in educational research;
• The identification of strategic partners for undertaking research and evaluation activities;
• The monitoring of projects undertaken by and/or on behalf of the Ministry of Education.

ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN FOR THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW 2002-2005.

The main activities of the DERE are:
Coordination of testing activities, which include:

• Test preparation: Preparation of Table of Specifications and item writing activities
• Test validation: Reviewing and field-testing of test items
• Test analysis: Interpretation of the test scores in the eight educational districts
• Reporting: Summarizing the performance of the eight educational districts
• Evaluation studies: Conducting evaluation studies to determine the value of various educational practices; Monitoring of test administration; Provision of quality control for tests
• Conduct of research studies: Undertaking research studies of various educational practices
• Data collection: Collection of information on various aspects of the education system
• Analysis of data: Interpretation of the data collected
• Report writing: Summarizing the findings obtained from surveys
• Dissemination of information: Providing feedback to all stakeholders in education
• Training: Conducting workshops to satisfy the training needs of the clients in the schools and at the district level

The following Organizational Chart for the Division of Educational Research and Evaluation illustrates the hierarchical structure of the division. A Director (Range 64) heads the division; the Director is supported by a Clerk/Steno1/11 who takes care of secretarial responsibilities. There are two Assistant Directors (Range 62): one who oversees the Research and Evaluation section, while the other oversees the Testing and Assessment section. Two Research Assistants (Range 35), two Research Officers 1(Range 46), one Educational Research Officer II (Range 53) and one Evaluation Officer (Range 53D) report to the Assistant Director, Research and Evaluation. In the Testing and Assessment section there are one Evaluation Officer (Range 53), two Educational Testing Officers 1 (Range 46) and one Educational Testing Officer 11 ((Range 53) who report to the Assistant Director, Testing and Assessment. One Statistician (Range 46), one Librarian 11(Range 53 E), one Clerk 111(Range 24E), two Clerks 11 (Range 20C) as well as four Clerk/Typists 1(Range 13) report directly to the Director of Educational Research and Evaluation.

DERE Organizational Chart
DERE Achievements

The Division of Educational Research and Evaluation continues to undertake its major activities as the division overcomes the following challenges:

• Lack of human and physical resources
• Lack of capacity and technical expertise
• Some aspects of the bureaucracy hinders progress at times of emergency
• Coordination of activities with other departments/divisions
• Upgrade of resources of other divisions on which the DERE depends.

Prompt recruitment of staff
Increased training for all levels of staff
Greater use of up-to-date technology in the daily operations of the division.