How can a study comparing children’s early learning be expanded for other countries?

Challenge

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has long supported a variety of international studies to collect and report data in the U.S. and other countries.

These studies help NCES provide comparable indicators on student performance and schooling practices across countries.

The International Early Learning Study (IELS) was a new initiative of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Its goal was to develop a detailed understanding of how children’s early learning could be developed.

NCES implemented the U.S. pilot study of IELS to see if its model could be expanded to other countries.

Solution

The pilot study administered one-on-one, tablet-based assessments to children; sampled children’s teachers and parents were interviewed via web surveys.

IELS also included a parent interview, and children were linked to specific teachers so that teachers could report on individual students.

Results

This pilot effort provided a model that can be expanded in future years.