Synergies for Better Learning: An International Perspective on Evaluation and Assessment (Summary)
This report provides an international comparative analysis and policy advice to countries on how evaluation and assessment arrangements can be embedded within a consistent framework to improve the quality, equity and efficiency of school education. It builds upon a major 3-year review of evaluation and assessment policies in 28 countries, the OECD Review on Evaluation and Assessment Frameworks for Improving School Outcomes. As well as analyzing strengths and weaknesses of different approaches, the report provides recommendations for improvement including how results should be incorporated into policy and practice.
OECD origins date back to 1960, when 18 European countries plus the United States and Canada joined forces to create an organization dedicated to global development. Today, 34 member countries from North and South America to Europe and the Asia-Pacific region are involved. This executive summary focuses on commonalities in purpose and challenges related to educational evaluations and assessments. It also provides useful insight into growing practices across participating countries and guidance relative to considerations regarding use and further development. The communications quality would have been enhanced with additional visual support for findings which also is the case for its utility, where the lack of supplemental resources or references is notable. However, overall, it provides valuable guidance on the continued growth and use of assessment practices.