Teaching is a Science at ACC Casey

Australian Christian College (ACC) Casey is implementing evidence-based education through the adoption Science of Learning and StepLab.

The school focussed on the Science of Learning as it wants to provide a common language and shared understanding among staff as it continues to evolve teaching practices.

This research-based framework encourages reflective practice and supports a shift from intuitive or traditional teaching methods to those grounded in evidence.

As part of this initiative, ACC Casey has also introduced StepLab, a professional development tool that supports teachers in continuously improving their practice through incremental, focused coaching. StepLab breaks down high-impact teaching strategies into clear, manageable techniques, offering step-by-step guidance, videos, and practice modules that help embed these strategies into everyday classroom practice.

The response from staff has been positive. Many have embraced the initiative with enthusiasm, engaging with the theory, completing modules and applying new techniques in their classrooms. Teachers are already seeing real impact in student engagement, learning outcomes, and classroom culture at the school.

“What’s especially exciting is the rich professional dialogue that has emerged across our school,” said Claire Ball, Instructional Coach and Year 5/6 teacher who leads the program at the school. “Staff are increasingly talking about what effective learning looks like, sharing strategies for managing positive behaviour, and reflecting together on how students are responding. This collaborative growth mindset is exactly what we hoped to foster through our instructional coaching model.”

The school uses StepLab as a key part of the ‘Casey Way’ - the school’s shared instructional framework. The ‘Casey Way’ is built on top 5 Practice Principles and 5 Core Learning Habits that support high-impact teaching and learning.

These strategies are already making a visible difference. One standout example is a Science and Mathematics teacher who by introducing a range of practices, has seen a noticeable improvement in student attention and engagement. With fewer classroom management issues, he is able to cover more content with greater depth, and his students are more focused, motivated, and actively participating in their learning.

“The most rewarding part of being an instructional coach so far has been witnessing the incredible growth in our teaching staff. It’s truly inspiring to see our brilliant educators continuously develop their practice, embracing new techniques and applying them with confidence in the classroom. These shifts in teaching are already leading to meaningful and visible improvements in student learning. It’s really exciting to watch this transformation unfold,” concludes Claire Ball.

With a strong foundation in place and a clear vision for the future, ACC Casey is committed to continuing to roll out the remaining elements of the ‘Casey Way’ and to see even greater growth in teaching and learning outcomes at the school.