The three main programs are known widely by their acronyms:
• PIRLS (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study) is an assessment of 4th-grade reading administered every five years under the auspices of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). Fifty-five countries are expected to participate in 2011. http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pirls/
• TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) is IEA’s assessment of student achievement in 4th- and 8th-grade science and math and is conducted every four years. Some 67 countries administer TIMSS. http://nces.ed.gov/timss/
• PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) is an evaluation of reading, math, and science “literacy” among 15-year-olds. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) conducts PISA every three years, emphasizing one of the subjects on a revolving basis. The emphasis in 2006 was science; in 2009 it will be reading. Participation in PISA has grown from 43 countries in 2000 to an expected 65 countries in 2009. http://nces.ed.gov/Surveys/PISA/
The results of the three assessments are often compared to those of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which in the United States currently dwarfs the international assessments in scope. In 2007, the NAEP 8th-grade math exams involved more than 150,000 students in approximately 7,000 schools. The 8th-grade 2007 TIMSS assessed some 7,400 U.S. students in fewer than 250 schools. PISA in 2006 involved only 5,600 15-year-olds in around 170 schools.
It amazes me how often reports on different educational systems and student achievement generalize test scores, etc., from a few classes or schools to an entire country or population! No wonder citizens feel a certain way toward U.S. teachers, etc.--they trust whatever they see or read in the media without examining where the information came from. This reminds me of why inquiry based learning is so important for us teachers to focus on in our classrooms.
ReplyDeleteHi Katie,
ReplyDeleteYou've done a very thorough, excellent job on this topic. I am impressed by how well you organized your blog, especially this guide to international student assessments. These information will greatly help teachers and educator to view the test scores and student achievement whit a global lance. thank you.