Lana Oconnell
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a worldwide study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) that evaluates educational systems by measuring 15-year-old students' scholastic performance in mathematics, science, and reading. PISA was first conducted in 2000 and has since been repeated every three years. The OECD headquarters are located in Paris, France, and PISA's international comparisons have been used to inform educational research, practice, and policymaking.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) |
| Administering Organisation | Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) |
| Focus | Literacy of 15-year-old students in reading, mathematics, and science |
| Other Focus Areas | Problem-solving, functional skills, and general competencies |
| Optional Domains | Financial literacy, collaborative problem-solving |
| Frequency | Every 3 years since 2000 (will change to a 4-year cycle after 2025) |
| Participants | Over 40 countries |
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What You'll Learn
PISA's impact on education policy
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a worldwide study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) that evaluates educational systems by measuring 15-year-old students' performance in mathematics, science, and reading. PISA aims to provide comparable data to enable countries to improve their education policies and outcomes.
PISA has had a significant impact on education policy, both directly and indirectly. Firstly, it has generated new knowledge about education, challenging deeply embedded practices such as early tracking of students into vocational or academic pathways. PISA provides a common reference that connects academic research in education with public policy, mediating between different strands of knowledge in these realms.
Secondly, PISA's international comparisons have influenced policy discussions on education quality and equity. Countries use PISA data to justify and promote reforms, although sometimes these interpretations assume causal relationships that are not legitimately based on PISA data alone. For example, Portugal used PISA data to justify new arrangements for teacher assessment, and Finland's ministers used their country's PISA results to promote new policies for 'gifted' students.
Thirdly, PISA results can drive education policy reform and guide reform agendas. For instance, Germany experienced a "PISA shock" in 2001, after which it implemented a comprehensive education reform agenda with at least three output-based norms directly linked to PISA: establishing education standards and centralized monitoring, and top-reducing governance.
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PISA's international comparisons
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a worldwide study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) that evaluates educational systems. It does so by measuring the scholastic performance of 15-year-old students in mathematics, science, and reading. PISA was first performed in 2000 and is now repeated every three years.
However, there are also concerns about the inappropriate use of PISA data. In Portugal, for instance, PISA data was used to justify new arrangements for teacher assessment, even though the inferences were not supported by the assessments themselves. Similarly, Finland's excellent PISA results were used to promote new policies for "gifted" students, assuming causal relationships that require further in-depth qualitative and quantitative research to validate.
PISA's methodology draws inspiration from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and the US National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The reading component is influenced by the IEA's Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS). PISA aims to test literacy in reading, mathematics, and science through problem-solving and cognition exercises. The assessments are designed to focus on functional skills acquired near the end of compulsory schooling.
PISA assessments have provided valuable insights and challenged deeply embedded educational practices, such as the early tracking of students into vocational or academic pathways. They offer a common reference point for academic research in education and public policy, bridging the gap between these two worlds.
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PISA's methodology and influences
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a worldwide study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) that evaluates educational systems by measuring 15-year-old school pupils' performance in mathematics, science, and reading. It was first performed in 2000 and has since been repeated every three years, with the results of the 2022 data collection released in December 2023. PISA aims to provide comparable data to enable countries to improve their education policies and outcomes.
Much of PISA's methodology follows the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), which was influenced by the US National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The reading component of PISA is inspired by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement's (IEA) Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS). PISA aims to test literacy in three competence fields: reading, mathematics, and science on an indefinite scale. The mathematics literacy test asks students to apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems, requiring them to utilise various mathematical competencies and content knowledge.
The PISA assessment consists of six and a half hours of material, including a cognitive test and a questionnaire on the student's background, learning habits, motivation, and family. School directors also fill out a form describing school demographics, funding, and other relevant information. PISA's methodology includes measures to address potential biases, such as nonresponse bias, by using size-adjusted weights to ensure that schools with different student numbers do not disproportionately influence the results.
PISA has had a significant impact on national assessment policies and practices. Its findings have challenged traditional educational practices and provided a common reference for academic research and public policy. However, there are concerns about the inappropriate use of PISA data to justify reforms that may not be directly supported by the assessments, as seen in Portugal and Finland. PISA results have led to varying degrees of educational policy changes in different countries, with Germany experiencing a "PISA shock" that prompted a re-evaluation of accepted educational policies and the introduction of common national standards.
In conclusion, PISA's methodology and influences are shaped by its aim to provide comparable data on educational systems worldwide. By following the example of studies like TIMSS and NAEP, PISA assesses students' literacy skills and problem-solving abilities. Its findings have had a notable impact on national policies and practices, challenging traditional educational approaches and influencing education reforms. However, the interpretation and use of PISA data vary across countries, and caution is needed to ensure its appropriate application.
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PISA assessment structure
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a worldwide study that evaluates the educational systems of member and non-member nations of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The assessment is designed to measure the scholastic performance of 15-year-old students in reading, mathematics, and science literacy. PISA is conducted once every three years, with the first assessment taking place in 2000. The major domain of study rotates between mathematics, science, and reading in each cycle, with optional domains such as financial literacy and collaborative problem-solving also included.
The PISA assessment structure consists of six and a half hours of assessment material, although each student is not tested on all parts. The assessment includes a cognitive test, followed by a questionnaire for students on their background, learning habits, motivation, and family. School directors also fill out a questionnaire describing school demographics, funding, and other relevant information.
To ensure inclusivity, the United States introduced the UH ('Une Heure') instrument for students with special education needs. The UH instrument contains about half as many items as the regular test and is designed to be more suitable for students with special needs. The timing structure of the UH instrument allows more time per question, and the assessments are generally held in small groups.
In 2012, PISA introduced computer-based assessments for reading and mathematics, as well as a paper-based financial literacy assessment. The 2015 assessment included an optional financial literacy component and a collaborative problem-solving assessment. By 2018, PISA had conducted computer-based assessments in a majority of countries, providing paper-based assessments for countries unable to test students by computer.
The PISA Consortium, consisting of international organizations engaged by the OECD, coordinates the study operations across countries. The consortium currently includes the German Institute for Educational Research and the Educational Testing Service. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) also plays a role in the administration of PISA.
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PISA's coordination by the OECD
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a worldwide study coordinated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The OECD is an intergovernmental organisation of industrialised countries. PISA was first performed in 2000 and has since been repeated every three years, with results released in the following year. For example, the results of the 2022 data collection were released in December 2023. After the 2025 data collection, PISA will change to a four-year data collection cycle.
PISA assesses 15-year-old students' reading, mathematics, and science literacy. The major domain of study rotates between mathematics, science, and reading each cycle. PISA also offers optional domains, such as financial literacy, and includes measures of general or cross-curricular competencies, such as collaborative problem-solving. The assessment consists of six and a half hours of material, though each student is not tested on all parts. The reading component of PISA is inspired by the IEA's Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS). The mathematics literacy test asks students to apply their knowledge to solve problems in real-world contexts, requiring them to activate multiple mathematical competencies and content knowledge.
PISA's methodology follows the example of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), which began in 1995 and was influenced by the U.S. National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Countries are allowed to combine PISA with complementary national tests, as Germany does with its PISA-E test.
PISA aims to provide comparable data to enable countries to improve their education policies and outcomes. PISA findings have challenged deeply embedded educational practices and provided a common reference for academic research and public policy. They are increasingly used in education policymaking at both the national and international levels. However, it is important to note that PISA data may be used to justify reforms with which the data themselves have no direct connection.
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Frequently asked questions
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is coordinated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an intergovernmental organisation of industrialised countries.
The OECD's headquarters are located in Paris, France, and its current Secretary-General is Mathias Cormann.
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) was first administered in 2000 and has been conducted every three years since, with the most recent assessment in 2022.
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) aims to evaluate educational systems by measuring 15-year-old students' scholastic performance in mathematics, science, and reading.
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) offers a six-and-a-half-hour assessment that tests 15-year-old students' literacy in reading, mathematics, and science. It also includes optional domains such as financial literacy and measures of general competencies like problem-solving and functional skills.
