AifL and international studies
Alongside the Scottish Survey of Achievement, international studies form an important part of the external assessment information used for summative purposes within the Assessment is for Learning quadrant by enabling us to benchmark Scotland against other countries. This in turn provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of the Scottish curriculum and learning and teaching.
Scotland currently participates in three international studies: PISA, TIMSS and PIRLS.
Programme of International Student Assessment (PISA)
PISA is run by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and commenced in 2000. The survey of 15-year-olds, which assesses the extent to which students can apply knowledge and skills gained in school in everyday adult life, takes place every three years. Each PISA survey focuses in depth on a particular domain - either reading, mathematical or scientific literacy - although the individual areas are still tested within each survey. Scotland first participated in the survey in 2000, whilst separate results for Scotland, and the UK as a whole, have been available since 2003. Nearly 60 countries participated in the survey in 2006.
A summary report, PISA 2006: Highlights from Scotland's Results, can be found on the Scottish Government website whilst further information on PISA can be found at the OECD website.
Trends in International Mathematics and Science Survey (TIMSS)
TIMSS is run by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) and is designed to measure trends in mathematics and science performance at P5 and S2 in Scotland (equivalent to 4th and 8th grade internationally). The survey first took place in 1995 with further surveys taking place every four years. Scotland took part in TIMSS in 1995 and 2003, and again in 2007 with around 60 other countries. Participation in TIMSS 2007 will enable Scotland to identify changes in pupil attainment in maths and science over a 12-year period.
Further information can be found on the IEA website.
Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS)
PIRLS is also run by the IEA and is designed to measure trends in children’s reading literacy at P5 in Scotland (equivalent to 4th grade internationally) and to collect information about the policy and practices related to learning and reading instruction. The first survey took place in 2001. Scotland also took part in the last survey in 2006 with around 50 other countries.
A summary report, PIRLS 2006: Highlights from Scotland's results, can be found on the Scottish Government website whilst further information on PIRLS can be found at the IEA website.