PRIMER on LARGE-SCALE ASSESSMENTS of EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT - Issue 1 - Introduction and Overview

Jul 19, 2026

Primer on Large-Scale Assessments of Educational Achievement explains the role of assessment in education and introduces large-scale assessments of learning achievement. It clarifies what these assessments are, why they matter, and what readers can learn from the primer. It also outlines how results from large-scale assessments are used, including factors that influence use or nonuse and common policy implications drawn from findings.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages163

Reading Time6 h 51 min

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

Abbreviations

Chapter 1. Introduction and Overview

Why Does Assessment Matter?

What Are Large-Scale Assessments of Educational Achievement?

Why Are Large-Scale Assessments Important?

What Will You Learn from This Primer?

Annex 1A. Overview of Assessment Types

Chapter 2. How Are Results from Large-Scale Assessments Used?

What Factors Affect the Use and Nonuse of Large-Scale Assessment Findings?

What Are Some Common Policy Implications of Large-Scale Assessment Findings?

n a ti o n al asse ssme nts o f e d u ca ti o n al a chie ve me nt PRIMER on LARGE-SCALE ASSESSMENTS of EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT Marguerite Clarke and Diego Luna-Bazaldua Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized © 2021 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000; [Internet: www.worldbank.org](Internet: www.worldbank.org) Some rights reserved 1 2 3 4 24 23 22 21 This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank with external contributions. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the data included in this work and does not assume responsibility for any errors, omissions, or discrepancies in the information, or liability with respect to the use of or failure to use the information, methods, processes, or conclusions set forth. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Nothing herein shall constitute orbe construed or considered tobe a limitation upon or waiver of the privileges and immunities of The World Bank, all of which are specifically reserved. RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS This work is available under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 IGO license (CC BY 3.0 IGO) http://creativecommons.org /licenses/by/3.0/igo. Under the Creative Commons Attribution license, you are free to copy, distribute, transmit, and adapt this work, including for commercial purposes, under the following conditions: Attribution—Please cite the work as follows: Clarke, Marguerite, and Diego Luna-Bazaldua. 2021. Primer on Large-Scale Assessments of Educational Achievement. National Assessments of Educational Achievement series. Washington, DC: World Bank. doi:10 . 1596/978-1-4648-1659-8 . License: Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0 IGO Translations—If you create a translation of this work, please add the following disclaimer along with the attribution: This translation was not created by The World Bank and should not be considered an official World Bank translation. The World Bankshall not be liable for any content or error in this translation. Adaptations—If you create an adaptation of this work, please add the following disclaimer along with the attribution: This isan adaptation of an original work by The World Bank. Views and opinions expressed in the adaptation are the sole responsibility of the author or authors of the adaptation and are not endorsed by The World Bank. Third-party content—The World Bank does not necessarily own each component of the content contained within the work. The World Bank therefore does not warrant that the use of any third-party-owned individual component or part contained in the work will not infringe on the rights of those third parties. The risk of claims resulting from such infringement rests solely with you. If you wish to reuse a component of the work, it is your responsibility to determine whether permission is needed for that reuse and to obtain permission from the copyright owner. Examples of components can include, but are not limited to, tables, figures, or images. All queries on rights and licenses should be addressed to World Bank Publications, The World Bank Group, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA; [e-mail: pubrights@worldbank.org](e-mail: pubrights@worldbank.org). ISBN (paper): 978-1-4648-1659-8 ISBN (electronic): 978-1-4648-1660-4 DOI: 10. 1596/978-1-4648-1659-8 Cover and interior design: Sergio Andres Moreno Tellez, GCS Creative Services, World Bank. Library

FAQs

What is the purpose of large-scale assessments of educational achievement?

The primer explains what large-scale assessments are and why assessment matters for understanding educational achievement.

Why are large-scale assessments important for education systems?

It outlines the reasons large-scale assessments are important and what readers will learn about their value and interpretation.

How are results from large-scale assessments used in practice?

The document discusses factors that affect whether findings are used or not, and highlights common policy implications derived from the results.

Jul 19, 2026

Upload by Theodora