Douglas Olsen
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 measures 15-year-old students' literacy in reading, mathematics, and science, as well as their problem-solving and functional skills. PISA is conducted every three years, with 85 countries taking part in 2022. The impact of PISA on national education systems varies, with some countries, such as Germany, questioning previously accepted educational policies, while others, like Hungary, have not made significant changes despite similar conditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Administering Body | Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) |
| Participating Countries | 85 countries in 2022 |
| Frequency | Every 3 years since 2000 (to change to a 4-year cycle after 2025 data collection) |
| Participants | 15-year-old students (aged between 15 years and 3 months and 16 years and 2 months) |
| Sample Size | Minimum of 6,300 students per country (5,000 in some sources) |
| Format | Two-hour computer-based test with multiple-choice and longer-answer questions |
| Subjects | Mathematics, Science, Reading, and optional subjects like Financial Literacy |
| Aim | To evaluate educational systems by providing comparable data to improve education policies |
| Impact | Varied across countries, e.g., led to policy changes in Germany but not in Hungary |
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What You'll Learn
PISA is coordinated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a worldwide study conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in member and non-member nations. The aim of the programme is to evaluate educational systems by measuring 15-year-old school pupils' performance in mathematics, science, and reading. PISA is coordinated, governed, and sponsored by the OECD, but the participating countries bear the cost.
The programme was first introduced in 2000 and has since been conducted every three years, except for a one-year delay in the current cycle (2021-2022) due to the pandemic. After the 2025 data collection, PISA will transition to a four-year data collection cycle. Each country must draw a sample of at least 5,000 students for the assessment, although some countries use much larger samples to facilitate regional comparisons. In small countries like Iceland and Luxembourg, where the number of students is fewer than 5,000 per year, an entire age cohort is tested.
PISA assesses students in innovative domains in addition to the core subjects of reading, mathematics, and science. In 2012 and 2015, for instance, students were tested in collaborative problem-solving, while the assessment in 2018 included global competence. The programme also offers optional domains such as financial literacy and includes measures of general or cross-curricular competencies.
The results of PISA provide comparable data, enabling countries to improve their education policies and outcomes. The findings have challenged deeply embedded educational practices and served as a common reference connecting academic research in education with public policy. PISA assessments have increased the influence of the OECD as an international education monitor and policy actor, with many countries setting national performance targets based on their PISA scores.
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The test is for 15-year-olds, with a focus on mathematics, science, and reading
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 test is designed for 15-year-olds and focuses on mathematics, science, and reading. The assessment also offers optional subjects, such as financial literacy, and measures general competencies like collaborative problem-solving.
PISA was first conducted in 2000 and has since been repeated every three years, except for a one-year delay in the current cycle (2021-2022) due to the pandemic. The major domain of study rotates between mathematics, science, and reading with each cycle. The test is computer-based and lasts for two hours, with a mix of multiple-choice and open-ended questions. Participating students also complete a questionnaire on their background, including learning habits, motivation, and family. School directors provide information on school demographics and funding.
PISA aims to provide comparable data to enable countries to improve their education policies and outcomes. The findings have been used to challenge deeply embedded educational practices, such as the early tracking of students into vocational or academic pathways. For example, in Germany, the results of the first PISA assessment led to a questioning of previously accepted educational policies and the introduction of common national standards. In Portugal, PISA data was used to justify new arrangements for teacher assessment.
PISA is not limited to specific states or countries, as it is a worldwide study. However, each country must draw a sample of at least 5,000 students. In small countries like Iceland and Luxembourg, with fewer than 5,000 students per year, an entire age cohort is tested. Some countries, like Germany, combine PISA with complementary national tests.
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PISA is conducted every three years
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a worldwide study that evaluates the educational systems of its participating countries. It was first performed in 2000 and has since been conducted every three years, except for a one-year delay in the 2021 cycle due to the pandemic. After the 2025 data collection, PISA will transition to a four-year data collection cycle.
PISA is coordinated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an intergovernmental organisation of industrialised countries. It aims to provide comparable data to enable countries to improve their education policies and outcomes. The assessment measures 15-year-old students' reading, mathematics, and science literacy, with the major domain of study rotating between these subjects in each cycle. PISA also offers optional domains, such as financial literacy and creative thinking, and includes measures of general or cross-curricular competencies, such as collaborative problem-solving.
The students assessed by PISA are typically between 15 years and 3 months and 16 years and 2 months old at the beginning of the assessment period. Only students attending school are tested, with each country required to draw a sample of at least 5,000 students. In smaller countries with fewer than 5,000 students per year, such as Iceland and Luxembourg, an entire age cohort is tested. Each student takes a two-hour computer-based test, consisting of multiple-choice and open-ended questions. The test focuses on functional skills that students have acquired as they near the end of compulsory schooling.
PISA has had varying impacts on national education systems. For example, in Germany, the results of the first PISA assessment led to a "PISA shock", causing a re-evaluation of previously accepted educational policies and the introduction of common national standards. In contrast, Hungary, which shared similar conditions to Germany, did not experience significant changes in its educational policy as a result of PISA.
The findings from PISA assessments are used in research on causal factors within and across education systems. They have also been influential in education policymaking at both the national and international levels. However, it is important to note that the interpretation and use of PISA data may vary, and policymakers may selectively use the data to legitimise policies introduced for other reasons.
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The test is two hours long and computer-based
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a worldwide study that assesses 15-year-old students' literacy in reading, mathematics, and science. The test is conducted every three years and is designed to evaluate educational systems and policies. The test is two hours long and computer-based, and it assesses students' problem-solving and cognition skills rather than their memorization of facts.
The PISA test is designed to be inclusive, with a minimum of 65% of schools from the original sample of schools required to participate for an education system's data to be included in the international database. Education systems can use replacement schools to increase the response rate once the 65% benchmark has been reached. Each country must draw a sample of at least 5,000 students, and in small countries like Iceland and Luxembourg, where there are fewer than 5,000 students per year, an entire age cohort is tested.
The PISA test is adapted to the needs of students with special education needs. The UH (Une Heure, or "one hour" in French) instrument, which contains about half as many items as the regular test, is offered to students with special education needs within mainstream schools. The UH instrument allows more time per question than the regular test and is typically administered in small groups.
The PISA test is dynamic and adapts to the student's performance in prior stages. This multistage adaptive testing is made possible by the computer-based assessment platform, which provides flexibility in the routing of items and blocks. The test covers three stages, starting with medium-difficulty testlets and progressing to high- and low-difficulty testlets in stages two and three. Each stage consists of 9 or 10 items.
The PISA test is a valuable tool for assessing the effectiveness of education systems and has been used to challenge deeply embedded educational practices. It provides a common reference for academic research in education and public policy, and its results can lead to significant changes in educational policies and outcomes.
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PISA's impact on national education systems varies
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. It is conducted every three years, with the first assessment taking place in 2000. PISA's impact on national education systems varies, and its influence depends on the specific country context.
In Germany, for example, the first PISA assessment results caused a "PISA shock," leading to a questioning of previously accepted educational policies and the introduction of common national standards. On the other hand, in Hungary, which shared similar conditions to Germany, the PISA results have not led to significant changes in educational policy.
The impact of PISA on national education policy choices can be significant. Participation in PISA has been linked to education policy changes and outcomes, such as higher student enrollments and education reforms. PISA reports can define policy problems and set the agenda for national policy debates. Policymakers across various countries, irrespective of their PISA scores, have initiated policy reforms in response to PISA reports.
However, critics argue that participation in PISA could lead to negative consequences, such as higher repetition rates and a narrowing of curricula. Additionally, the knowledge created by comparative assessments may not align with government reform agendas, leading to inappropriate uses of assessment data.
The influence of PISA extends beyond individual countries, as it has increased the role of the OECD as an international education monitor and policy actor. PISA assessments have led to a shift towards international, external accountability for national system performance, with high-performing PISA countries being referenced to justify intended reform agendas.
In conclusion, while PISA has had varying impacts on national education systems, it has undoubtedly influenced education policymaking and generated new knowledge about education. Its effects range from challenging deeply embedded educational practices to increasing the influence of international organizations in education policy.
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Frequently asked questions
It is a worldwide study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to evaluate educational systems by measuring 15-year-old students' performance in mathematics, science, and reading.
PISA is conducted once every three years. However, after the 2025 data collection, it will change to a four-year data collection cycle.
PISA is conducted in member and non-member nations of the OECD. In 2006, PISA tested students from 60 countries, and in 2022, 85 countries took part.
A minimum of 6,300 students are required to take the PISA assessment in each country. In small countries like Iceland and Luxembourg, an entire age cohort is tested. In 2006, PISA tested over 400,000 students, and in 2022, around 6,300 students participated in the main survey.
The PISA test is a two-hour computer-based test.
