Synergies for Better Learning

How can assessment and evaluation policies work together more effectively to
improve student outcomes in primary and secondary schools? Countries
increasingly use a range of techniques for student assessment, teacher
appraisal, school evaluation, school leader appraisal and education system
evaluation. However, they often face difficulties in implementing evaluation
and assessment policies. This may arise as a result of poor policy design,
lack of analysis of unintended consequences, little capacity for school agents
to put evaluation procedures into practice, lack of an evaluation culture, or
deficient use of evaluation results.

This report provides an international comparative analysis and policy advice
to countries on how evaluation and assessment arrangements can be embedded
within a consistent framework to improve the quality, equity and efficiency of
school education. It builds upon a major 3-year review of evaluation and
assessment policies in 28 countries, the OECD Review on Evaluation and
Assessment Frameworks for Improving School Outcomes. As well as analysing
strengths and weaknesses of different approaches, the report provides
recommendations for improvement including how results should be incorporated
into policy and practice.