PISA 2012

What is PISA? Programme in International Student Assessment Developed jointly by member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) One of the world’s biggest international education surveys, involving schools and students in over 60 countries. Run in the UK by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER).

What is the OECD? Established 1961 Based in Paris Membership: 34 countries

OECD Headquarters Paris  OECD

OECD Members

OECD’s Mission “The mission of the Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development (OECD) is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well- being of people around the world. ”

The OECD and Education Education is a big part of OECD’s mission OECD publishes many reports on education

The OECD and Education

The Programme in International Student Assessment (PISA) is one of OECD’s most important educational surveys.

The PISA Survey

What is PISA for? To compare the learning of students in different countries To investigate what students think about their learning To compare educational systems and school policies To help governments make decisions about educational policy

What happens in the survey? PISA takes place every 3 years – the first one was in In each survey there is one main subject. In the 2012 PISA survey, the main subject is maths and all students will answer maths questions. Some students will also answer questions on reading science and/or problem solving.

What else is involved? Students answer a questionnaire which has questions about their background and about their learning. There is also a school questionnaire which asks about aspects of school policy and organisation. In PISA 2012 the questionnaires will focus on teaching and learning of maths.

How many countries take part? PISA countries PISA countries PISA countries PISA countries (and a further 10 took part in 2010) PISA countries

PISA 2012 Around 14,000 students in 500 schools in the UK will take part in the survey. In total, around 14,000 students in 500 schools will take part in the UK. England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland will each have separate reports.

The PISA paper based tests The tests take 2 hours. Each student has a different test booklet. The booklets have questions on maths, reading and science. There’s no special study or revision needed.

The PISA Questionnaire The questionnaire takes about half an hour. All answers are confidential – the school will not see them. The questionnaire asks for some information on homes and families. It also asks about attitudes to maths and maths activities.

PISA Problem Solving Up to 14 pupils in each school will complete PISA Problem Solving on school IT equipment. Problem Solving is a computer based test and involves completion of real-life problems. The majority of students that have already taken the test have enjoyed the experience of taking a computer based test. Problem Solving takes approximately 1 hour of students’ time.

What you need to bring A black biro pen and a ruler A calculator A book or some homework (but not maths or science work)

Other information It will be useful if you know: Your parents’ or guardians’ jobs Your parents’ or guardians’ highest educational qualifications You will be given a certificate to show that you taken part in PISA

We hope you enjoy representing your country in PISA 2012 Good Luck from the PISA team at NFER!