Using assessment data to improve learning for all children and youth
The UIS and the Center for Universal Education (CUE) at Brookings have joined efforts to convene the Learning Metrics Task Force (LMTF), which is working to improve the learning outcomes of all children and youth by strengthening assessment systems and the use of assessment data.
With the release of recommendations in September 2013, the Learning Metrics Task Force laid out an ambitious agenda for global measurement of learning. In this first phase of work, the objectives were to focus international education discussions on learning and to build consensus on global learning indicators and actions to improve learning assessment. Through a highly consultative process involving technical groups and consultations involving 1,700 people from 186 countries, the initiative was structured around three guiding questions:
1. What learning is important, globally?
See the report, Toward Universal Learning: What Every Child Should Learn. Executive summaries available in Arabic, English and Spanish
2. How should it be measured?
See the report, Toward Universal Learning: A Global Framework for Measuring Learning
Executive Summaries available in Arabic, English, French and Spanish
3. How can measurement of learning improve education quality?
See the report, Toward Universal Learning: Implementing Assessment to Improve Learning
Read the task force's summary report, Toward Universal Learning: Recommendations from the Learning Metrics Task Force.
Also available in French, Spanish, Russian and Arabic.
Phase 2 of the task force
To implement these recommendations, the task force is now engaged in a second phase of work that involves an expanded set of partners. The UIS and CUE will continue to serve as the co-secretariat until the end of 2015.
The UIS will focus on the technical work required to improve the use of assessment data. Several initiatives with key partners are underway to:
At the same time, CUE will lead efforts on the institutional and political work required to reinforce assessment systems. In particular, CUE will be working with a group of about 15 countries, or Learning Champions, to implement key LMTF recommendations.
- develop new global measures of reading and numeracy and related indicators to better reflect education quality;
- provide countries and the international community with more precise information concerning the design and use of large-scale learning assessments.
Without effective assessment systems and reliable data, we cannot understand the extent of the global learning crisis and where to focus interventions to improve learning.