Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2026

The Government has set up a Curriculum and Assessment Review to look at national curriculum and statutory assessments from age 5 to 18.

Research syntheses, by way of systematic reviews and meta-analyses, rely on the quality of the underlying studies; their methodological trustworthiness.

Recent knowledge exchange activities with industry and government include: Jo-Anne Baird is a member of Department for Education’s Curriculum and Assessment Review, chaired by Becky Francis Ofsted’s External Reference Group on Insights and Evidence in Education The British Educational Research Association’s Panel on Educational Research Funding SQA’s Qualifications Committee International Assessment Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for the Department of Education (DBE) in South Africa Michelle Meadows is a member of the Institute of Director’s Assessment Committee Ofqual’s Qualifications Reform Group Ofqual advisor on crisis management and disaster planning Stuart Cadwallader is a member of AQA’s Research Committee Jenni Ingram is a member of the OECD Mathematics Expert Group (MEG) Jenni Ingram, Stuart Cadwallader & Jamie Stiff collaborate with Pearson UK on national reports for PISA25 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland and have done so for previous rounds of Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) tests Ariel Lindorff and Victoria Elliott are collaborating with Pearson UK on the England national report for PIRLS26 and have done so for previous rounds of the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS)

Assessment research has some key messages for education practitioners.

  OUCEA has a long history of research on the theory and practice of standard setting, as well as how standards in national qualifications are understood.

Strengthening the design and implementation of the standardised student assessment reform of the Flemish Community of Belgium The Flemish Community of Belgium has been a stronger performer on international tests, however, performance has been deteriorating and more students are failing to reach basic proficiency levels than before.