EDUCATION MATTERS
research, and reforms focused on educational equity, implemented even before I started primary school, paved the way for this progress. It began and gained momentum with the landmark 1958 Danish School Act—the very same year IEA was founded—which marked a decisive shift toward equality, modernization, and democratization of the Danish school system.
essential, grounded in mutual recognition of our distinct yet complementary roles, insights and responsibilities, but we all share the common aim of improving education for all children. Strong and committed partnerships between researchers, practitioners, and policymakers ensure that research findings translate into meaningful policy actions
and practical improvements within education systems. In my view, it is our “social contract” or social obligation between these three key actors to harvest the fruits and the potential of this collaboration. Additionally, strengthening our collaboration with national and global institutions will amplify the reach and impact of our collective efforts.
Participation , to me, embodies inclusive engagement at multiple levels and should be understood broadly. Firstly, we must seek to expand participation among less represented regions in the world, particularly enhancing representation from Africa and Latin America. Broadening their participation in our studies not only strengthens our collective voice but also enriches the
“It is crucial that we evolve our methodologies to accommodate students who might otherwise feel or become excluded from our assessments.”
Finally, Consolidation is critical as we navigate a period rich in
global perspectives we bring to international educational assessments—it is beneficial for all. Every country contributes valuable insights to our shared knowledge base, and all can learn from one another as we work toward improving education worldwide. Participation also means ensuring every participating country has an influential voice in decision-making processes. The distinctive strength of IEA lies in its collaborative foundation, where both the General Assembly and individual National Research Coordinators (NRCs) share ownership of our studies and actively shape the organization's future. Empowering our NRCs and fostering collaborative governance is central to our identity, a distinguishing feature of IEA. Moreover, participation also implies an ethical commitment to inclusion within our studies—it is hard for a student to have one’s voice taken into consideration if already excluded from participation! It is crucial that we evolve our methodologies to accommodate students who might otherwise feel or become excluded from our assessments. Therefore, we must continue developing inclusive assessment designs that allow meaningful participation, for instance by providing tools to compensate for challenges such as reading difficulties, which are not the direct focus of our assessments in subjects like mathematics and science. This ensures accurate representation and equitable participation of diverse student populations. Collaboration is another key element of my objectives for the three year term as IEA chair. Effective collaboration between policymakers, practitioners, and researchers is
innovation and promising research outcomes. Over recent years, IEA’s Research & Development Fund (see page 70) has generated many groundbreaking insights that now require strategic implementation. Rather than continuously shifting towards the newest ideas, we must also ensure careful integration and sustainable application of these developments. Consolidation requires building robust internal structures, enhancing coherence between research, implementation, and policy advice, and ensuring our innovations have lasting, practical impacts. This structured approach allows us to maintain and expand the high standards of quality and reliability of our assessments that are synonymous with IEA studies. To wrap up: in a rapidly evolving educational landscape marked by global challenges, a clear focus on participation, collaboration, and consolidation is vital. These principles underpin my vision for chairing IEA during the next three-year term, emphasizing inclusive growth, effective partnerships, and thoughtful implementation of innovations. At a time of pressing global environmental concerns, assessing environmental awareness—both knowledge and attitudes, as exemplified recently in TIMSS—is among the newest illustrations of this approach. Perhaps most importantly, I am deeply convinced that this endeavor provides the foundational pillar for creating a better world for future generations. ■
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