Oxford University Centre for Educational Assessment and Pearson to conduct Progress in International Reading Literacy Study 2026

Pearson will implement the study in nearly 450 schools, partnering with the Department’s Oxford University Centre for Educational Assessment (OUCEA) in England and Northern Ireland for data analysis and reporting. 

Pearson has been appointed as the National Centre to conduct the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2026 in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.  

Contracts were awarded to Pearson by England’s Department for Education, the Scottish Government, and the Department for Education Northern Ireland following a competitive tendering process. 

In total, around 60 countries and economies are expected to participate in PIRLS 2026, which is conducted by the International Association for the Evaluation of Education Achievement (IEA) and provides high-quality data for monitoring progress in students’ reading achievement of pupils aged 9 to 10 years old around the world. 

Pearson will operate as the National Centre for PIRLS 2026. It will be responsible for the delivery of the study in approximately 150 schools in each of England, Northern Ireland and Scotland with Associate Professor Grace Grima, Director of International Assessments at Pearson, as National Research Co-Ordinator.  

For England and Northern Ireland, the Oxford University Centre for Educational Assessment (OUCEA), which is based at the University of Oxford’s Department of Education, will be responsible for the data analysis, writing of the national reports and the dissemination of the PIRLS 2026 results, under the leadership of Associate Professor Ariel Lindorff.  

Associate Professor Ariel Lindorff, OUCEA, said: “We are very pleased to have this opportunity to build on past successes working with Pearson on PIRLS in England as well as to conduct the analysis and reporting for PIRLS in Northern Ireland for the first time.  

“I am confident that our research team’s expertise in analysing and interpreting PIRLS data, as well as in relevant policy in England and Northern Ireland, will be an asset in the 2026 cycle of PIRLS.” 

Pearson has substantial expertise in international contracts, having already delivered two cycles of PIRLS in England: PIRLS 2016 and PIRLS 2021 as well as Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2019 and 2023. Pearson has also delivered the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland,  

Associate Professor Grace Grima, Director of International Assessments at Pearson, said: “Pearson is delighted to once again be awarded the PIRLS contract for England, as well as for Northern Ireland and Scotland for the first time.  

“We look forward to bringing our expertise in online delivery, as well as our strong links with schools, for this important study which provides a rich insight into reading achievements of children around the world.” 

Data collection for PIRLS 2026 will run through May-June 2026 with the results released in December 2027.