The Alphabet Soup of International Assessments
Did you know Arizona participates in International Assessments? Participating in International Assessments is required when asked in Arizona, and the data they provide is invaluable! Data from International Assessments is used to add validity in NAEP, which in turn adds validity to Arizona's own state assessments. Principals of schools that participate in International Assessments are provided with a school-level report and shown comparisons to schools internationally. While the testing is low stakes for schools involved in these assessments, the data they provide is valuable to both the United States and the greater global educational community.
The snapshot of International Assessments that Arizona is participating in this academic year is included below. Schools in the samples for these assessments have been notified about their participation this academic year.
The Program for the International Student Assessment (PISA) is a system of international assessments that measures 15-year-old students' reading, mathematics, and science literacy. PISA also includes measure of general or cross-curricular competencies, such as problem solving. PISA emphasizes functional skills that students have acquired as they near the end of compulsory schooling. PISA is coordinated by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
The International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS) is an international comparative study that uses an innovative, computer-based assessment to evaluate students' computer and information literacy - their ability to use computers to investigate, create, and communicate in order to participate effectively at home, at school, and in the community.
The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) provides reliable and timely data on the mathematics and science achievement of U.S. fourth and eighth grade students compared to that of students in other countries and jurisdictions. TIMSS is coordinated by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA).
The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) examines the reading achievement and reading behaviors and attitudes of fourth grade students in the United States and students in the equivalent of fourth grade in other participating countries. PIRLS 2021 offered the PIRLS assessment of literacy and informational reading in a digital format. Because PIRLS is all electronic, countries can administer the full PIRLS reading assessment - PIRLS Literacy and Informational as well as the ePIRLS Online Informational - as one seamless, digitally-based endeavor. The International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) coordinates PIRLS.
