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For teachers

How are schools involved in the AEDI?

The teacher(s) of children in their first year of formal full-time schooling will be asked to complete the AEDI Checklist based on their knowledge and observations of each child in their class.

The AEDI Checklist is completed online using a secure web-based data entry system developed by the Australian Council for Educational Research. Children are not required to be present while teachers complete the checklists.

Enter AEDI Checklist data entry site

About AEDI data entry and collection

Between March and April 2009, each school will be sent a package which consitsts of the AEDI Guide for Schools and the AEDI Guide for Teachers manual and CD-ROM. 

The AEDI Guide for Teachers manual and CD-ROM provide detailed information to help teachers prepare for and complete the AEDI Checklists. 

To ensure national consistency, it is crucial that every teacher takes the time (one hour) to view the CD-ROM and read the Guide. It takes teachers on average 20 minutes per child
to complete the AEDI Checklists. Schools will be provided with funding for teacher relief to enable teachers to complete the AEDI Checklists.

Accessing the web-based data entry system

The checklist is completed online using a secure web-based data entry system developed by the Australian Council for Educational Research.

Schools will be provided with a unique 8-digit AEDI school code to use to access the secure data entry site. On the first visit teachers will enter the school code and register to use the system. A username and password is generated for future use.

To begin completing AEDI Checklists for the children in your class, click here and follow the prompts to register:

Enter AEDI Checklist data entry site

Why is the AEDI completed by teachers?

The teacher(s) of children in their first year of formal full-time schooling will be asked to complete the AEDI Checklist based on their knowledge and observations of each child in their class.
Children are not required to be present while teachers complete the checklists.

The AEDI Checklist is completed by teachers because:

• Teachers are well-placed to observe and record the development of children as they enter school.
• In Australia, school entry provides the first chance for a universal point to collect data about the development of children as they finish their pre-school years.
• Teacher feedback shows that reflecting on each child's development has been a positive experience for teachers.
• Extensive piloting has found that teachers do not have difficulty in completing the checklists.

How can the AEDI results be used?

The AEDI can:

• Provide teachers with the opportunity to systematically reflect on all aspects of each child's development in their first year of school.
• Provide schools with the opportunity to reflect on the development of children entering school and to consider and plan for their optimal school transitions and future needs.
• Be used to raise awareness about the importance of the early years.
• Provide a common language for the community to discuss the needs of young children.
• Provide communities with a tool to help understand what seems to be working well and what may need to change in their community to support families.

The AEDI can NOT:

• Score individual children as developmentally vulnerable' or performing well'.
• Identify children with specific learning disabilities or areas of developmental delay.
• Recommend which children should be placed in special  education categories, who should receive extra classroom assistance, or whether children should be held back a grade.
• Reflect the performance of the school or the quality of teaching.

What if I need help?

More detailed information about completing the AEDI Checklists is provided in the AEDI Guide for Teachers.

If you have any questions or comments about the AEDI in your school, please contact the AEDI National Support Centre on 1300 558 422 or email australian.edi@rch.org.au.