Monitoring Student Achievement in the 21st Century : European Policy Perspectives and Assessment Strategies

This book draws together leading student assessment academics from across Europe exploring student monitoring policies and practices in a range of countries across 22 chapters. The chapters in the first part offer a broad overview on student assessment covering history and current status, aims and approaches as well as methodological challenges of international student assessment. The second part presents country specific chapters provide an in depth look examining country specific policy and practices and findings of national and/or international assessments. Findings are critically discussed and recommendations are made for further development of each country's assessment context. The book shows similarities and differences within the educational assessment landscape as well as complexity and similarities in assessment policy documents and strategies, Given the globalized world we live in today, this book fills a need in the higher educational context and is intended for for policy makers in different countries as well. Monitoring Student Achievement in the 21st Century Contents About the Contributors Chapter 1: Introduction to Monitoring Student Achievement in the Twenty-First Century References Part I Chapter 2: International Student Assessment: Aims, Approaches and Challenges Introduction International Student Assessments: An Overview Approaches to International Student Assessment: PISA Case Study How PISA Differs from Other International Student Assessment Studies Challenges for the Future of International Student Assessments Responding to Economic, Social and Technological Changes Making Assessment Relevant for All Making Results Useful for All Stakeholders Improving Test and Questionnaire Reliability Drawing Causal Inferences Enhancing Transparency and Communication Conclusion References Chapter 3: History and Current State of International Student Assessment The Beginning Developments from the 1980s Onwards Rankings The Empirical Turn Developments from 2000 Onwards PISA and IEA Studies: Different Paradigms Current Participation Future Outlook References Chapter 4: Methodological Challenges of International Student Assessment Introduction Adopting New Constructs Consideration of Performance Heterogeneity Measurement and Statistical Modelling of Context Variables Transparency of Data and Methods Validation of Test Score Interpretations Conclusions References Chapter 5: The Assessment Landscape in the United States: From Then to the Future Assessment in Elementary and Secondary Schools Elementary and Secondary School Assessment Assessment in Workforce An Innovative Workforce Assessment System: Training Assessment Framework (TAF) Critical Discussion References Part II Chapter 6: Monitoring Student Achievement in Austria: Implementation, Results and Political Reactions Introduction The Education System in Austria Developing and Implementing Achievement Monitoring International and National Assessments Today Key Findings of International and National Assessments in Austria High Rate of Low-Performing Students Low Equity in Education How to Go Further? References Chapter 7: Use of Assessments to Inform Educational Policies in French-Speaking Belgium Introduction The History of International Assessments International and/or National Assessments Today An Example in Question: PISA Results and Their Links with Educational Policies Achievement Socioeconomic Gap Segregation How to Go Further? Critical Discussion Between PISA 2000 and 2015: Change in Educational Policies No Change in Curricula Change in Terms of Governance Equity and Segregation: Structural Reforms References Chapter 8: International and National Assessments in Croatia Introduction to International and National Assessment Context and Its History in Croatia International and National Assessments in Croatia Today Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Croatian Results How to Go Further? References Chapter 9: The Evolution of National and International Assessment in England Education in England Early Development of National Assessments in England Changes to the National Assessment System in England Phonics Screening Check Phonics Screening Check and Relationship to PIRLS 2016 England’s Involvement in International Assessments Reading as Defined in England’s National Curriculum and in PIRLS Reading as Assessed in England’s National Curriculum and in PIRLS Assessment Frameworks Purposes Formats Demand of the Assessments Comparing Reading Achievement in England’s National Assessments and PIRLS Trends in Achievement Proportions Achieving the Standards Possible Next Steps in England’s Primary Assessment System References Chapter 10: Educational Assessment in Estonia Introduction to International and National Assessment Context and Its History in Estonia Estonia and Its School System National and International Assessments Findings of International Assessments How to Go Further? Where Next? References Chapter 11: Educational Assessment in Finland Introduction Introduction to the National and International Assessment Context and Its History in Finland National and International Assessment in Finland Today National Assessments International Assessments An Example: Oversampling PISA 2012 in Finland Critical Discussion of the Country’s Assessment Policies, Practices and Results References Chapter 12: Educational Assessment in Germany Introduction The Education System in Germany History of Participation in International Assessments in Germany Educational Monitoring and Policy Documents, Perspectives and Assessment Strategies in Germany International and National Assessments Today An Example of International Assessment Findings: PIRLS Critical Discussion References Chapter 13: The Hungarian Educational Assessment System Introduction to the International Assessment Context and Its History in Hungary International and National Studies Before the Millennium International and National Assessments in the New Millennium International Assessments Today An Example: The Issue of Equity in the Hungarian School System Policy Recommendations References Chapter 14: Educational Assessment in Iceland Introduction Assessment, Testing and Grading Relevant Research Findings Discussion References Chapter 15: The Long March Towards School and Student Assessment in Italy The Participation of Italy in the IEA and OECD Assessments The Birth of the National Assessment System in Italy Between Obstacles and Delays The “New” Italian National Evaluation System (SNV) The “Literacy Divide”: Performance Gaps Among Italian Regions The Influence of International and National Assessments on Italian School Policies References Chapter 16: Large-Scale Assessments in the Norwegian Context Introduction to National and International Large-Scale Assessments in Norway Large-Scale Assessments in Norway Today The National Exit Exams National Assessments The Mapping Tests The Student Survey ILSAs in Norway Some Key Results from ILSAs Long-Term Developments in Norwegian ILSA Results Equity in Norway Public Debates Around ILSAs Discussion: Towards a More Holistic Assessment System References Chapter 17: International Large-Scale Assessments: Trends and Effects on the Portuguese Public Education System The Portuguese Education System International Assessments Today Portugal Performance on the ILSAs Impacts of ILSAs on the Portuguese Education System Concluding Remarks References Chapter 18: International Assessment Studies in Serbia Between Traditional Solutions, Unexpected Achievements and High Expectations The History and the Context of International Assessment in Serbia Highlights of the Educational System in Serbia Lack of the Assessment Learning System Snapshot of Findings of the International Assessment Studies International Assessment Today in Serbia: Ongoing Studies and Challenges in its Implementation Low Achievement and Great Progress in Reading: Possible Explanations of Unexpected Findings Possible Explanations of Significant Progress Why Is the Average Achievement in Serbia Below the International Average? Which Factors (Could) Explain the Progress That Has Been Made? Where to Look for a Recipe for Better Achievement? What Has Been Done So Far? What Is Left: Unexploited Potentials of the International Assessment Studies References Chapter 19: Assessment Policy and Practice of Slovenia The Education System of the Republic of Slovenia Introduction to the International and National Assessment Contexts and Their History International and National Assessments in Slovenia Today An Example of International and National Assessment Findings: The PISA Study How to Go Further? A Critical Discussion of Assessment Policies, Practices and Results References Chapter 20: Monitoring of Student Achievement in Spain Introduction to the Spanish Education System A Brief History The Current Situation Main Findings, Inputs and Debates How to Go Further? Challenges and Perspectives References Chapter 21: Student Assessment in the Landscape of International Large-Scale Studies Swedish Compulsory Education International Assessment Context and Its History in Sweden International Assessments in Sweden Today Using ILSAs as a Tool for Monitoring Performance: an Example of International Assessment Findings in Sweden Discussion and Conclusions References Chapter 22: European Monitoring of Student Achievement in the Twenty-First Century: Summary and Outlook Reference Correction to: Assessment Policy and Practice of Slovenia