IEA INSIDER 2025
From a Birds’ Eye View: How Countries Are Using TIMSS and PIRLS to Drive Educational Change
BY HEIKO SIBBERNS & JULIANE HENCKE
WHY DO COUNTRIES PARTICIPATE IN IEA STUDIES— AND WHAT HAPPENS AFTER? Since their inception, IEA’s international assessments— notably TIMSS and PIRLS—have seen steady or growing participation worldwide. These studies are known for benchmarking student achievement, but their value goes far beyond comparison alone. By collecting detailed context data from students, parents, teachers, and school leaders, TIMSS and PIRLS offer countries a multifaceted view of their education systems. Participation has not only become more widespread— with over 60 countries involved in recent cycles—but also increasingly strategic. So, why do countries join these studies? How is the data used beyond the final report? And what tangible impacts can be traced back to participation in these assessments?
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