THE ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL TESTING

AND ASSESSMENT AGENCIES

Presented by MAMOONA SHAHZAD

MP/2012-27

By the end of this presentation, you should be able to know

About the history and current status of different international testing and assessment agencies.

To learn about their status and characteristics.

Purpose of assessment at international level.

Objectives

A number of tests and assessments are conducted within the country or the worldwide.

Tests and assessments are administered at national, regional and international level.

International testing and assessment agencies are responsible for the construction, development of tests, administration, scoring and analysis of the international assessments.

Introduction

Educational assessment are conducted on

• National Assessment

1• International

Assessment

2

National assessmentNational Testing and Assessments, often called National or Public Examinations, are used to evaluate the students and educational system at national level.

The aims of these tests include:

Cross-national comparisons and target a variety of educational policy issues.

Provision of ranking according to the achievement scores by nation or region.

Analysis the result within the country and then compared to other countries.

International assessment

Program for International Student Assessment (PISA)

Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS)

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)

International Testing Programs

PISA is an international study Program for International Student Assessment

Launched by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 1997.

Program for International Student Assessment (PISA)

Educational Testing Service (ETS) Australian Council for Educational Research

(ACER) Trends in International Mathematics and

Science Study (TIMSS) International Association for Educational

Achievement (IAEA)

List of the international testing and assessment agencies

Association for Educational Assessment-Europe (AEA)

International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA)

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)

Conti…

U.S registered non-profit organization Founded in1947 It was formed to take over the testing

activities of its founders To pursue the advance educational

measurement and education.

History

ETS’s international headquarter is now located in Princeton, New Jersey.

Major office in San Antonio and other smaller offices in Philadelphia, Washington and Monterey.

Current Status

ETS’s Mission: To promote the quality and equity in

education by providing fair and valid assessments, to enhance knowledge, skills, promote learning and educational development.

Educational Testing Service (ETS)

Develops different types of standardized tests

in the United States for K-12 and for higher education.

Administers 20 million exams annually in U.S

and 180 in other countries.Nation’s Report Card

Contributions

ETS, also, administers international tests including: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC), Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and general as well as subject tests.

Conti…

Australian Council for Educational Research

ACER was established in 1930. It is an independent Educational Research

organization. ACER develops learning tools for students and manages a range of testing and assessment services for the Australian Education Community.

Conducts research in Educational sector.

Ken Cunningham, chief executive and the secretary Mary Campbell, established ACER’s first office in Central Melbourne on 1st April 1930.

First officially selected title was Australian Educational Research Council

New name is Australian Council for Educational Research.

History

Create and promote research based knowledge, services and products that can improve learning

Mission

ACER is contributing to the shaping of education policy.

ACER has now more than 300 staff members in different countries including Sydney, Dubai, Adelaide, Perth and New Delhi.

Current Activities

Progressive Achievement Test (PAT) Aptitude Profile Test Series (APTS) ACER General Ability Test (AGAT) Middle Years Ability Test (MYAT) I Can Do Math (ICDM)

Test Administered

ACER is, also, responsible for coordinating Australian’s participation in the International Association for the Education Achievement (IAEA), Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS).

ACER is a founding member of the Asian Pacific Educational Research Association (APERA)

 International Work

Trends in International Mathematics and Science

Study

(TIMSS) is organized by IEA.

TIMSS test measures the achievement of mathematics and sciences of Grade 4th and Grade 8th students.

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study

Purpose To focus on educational policies, practices

and outcomes in order to improve and enhance the mathematics and science learning.

TIMSS investigates the three levels: The intended curriculum Implemented curriculum; and The achieved curriculum

Contributions

International Association for Educational Achievement

IAEA gives considerable attention to international co-operation.

(IAEA) assists the educational agencies in the development and the appropriate application of educational assessment techniques to enhance the quality of education.

IAEA offers a global forum for all those who are involved in all forms of educational assessment in primary and secondary schools, colleges and work places.

Purpose

Its members include examining bodies, university departments, government agencies and research organizations from more than fifty countries.

Members of IAEA

IAEA’s primary objectives are: To improve communication. To make readily available assessment

techniques for the solution of educational problems.

To co-operate with other agencies having same interests.

To promote activities that can make improvements in assessment techniques and their appropriate use by educational agencies.

Objectives:

IAEA has a consultative status with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in the attainment of mutual goals.

IAEA, as a non-profit organization, plays an active part in UNESCO activities related to assessment and evaluation issues.

Current Status

Association for Education Assessment-

Europe (AEA)

Association for Education Assessment-Europe (AEA) acts as a platform for discussion of developments in educational assessment

Fostering co-operation.

The major objectives of AEA are to: Improve communication among all

European organizations and institutions. Provide a framework about research,

development, implementation and evaluation of projects.

Co-operate with other agencies. Enhance awareness of assessment and

testing processes and products in relation to their impacts on learning and understanding.

Objectives of AEA-Europe:

Conclusion