International Large-Scale Assessments (ILSAs) are global studies that measure and compare how students or adults perform in skills like reading, math, science, or digital literacy. They help countries and economies understand their education systems, spot strengths, and plan improvements.

Popular ILSAs

• PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment): Tests 15-year-olds on reading, math, and science.
• TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study): Checks math and science skills for 4th and 8th graders.
• PIRLS (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study): Measures 4th graders’ reading abilities.

How they work

ILSAs involve large, representative samples, standardized testing procedures, and rigorous data analysis to ensure comparability. They often include questionnaires to contextualize results with factors like socioeconomic status or teaching practices. Results are used by policymakers, researchers, and educators to identify trends, strengths, and areas for improvement in education systems. Macao has taken part in the above international assessment programmes, and ETARC is the unit responsible to execute these projects.

Who’s involved

ILSAs like PISA, TIMSS, and PIRLS rely on a network of contractors to design, implement, and analyze standardized tests comparing student performance across countries.

• International Organizations (e.g., OECD, IEA): Set goals, create frameworks, and oversee the whole process.
• Private Companies/Institutes: Design tests, analyze data, and build digital platforms.
• National Teams: Handle local tasks like selecting schools, administering tests, processing and analyzing local data.
• Experts: Ensure tests are fair, valid, and culturally appropriate.
• Universities: Support research and analysis.
• Tech Providers: Create secure systems for digital tests.

This multi-layered collaboration delivers valuable insights for education policy, though fairness and transparency are key concerns.