A-801 Section 3 September 26, 2012 Comparative and Cross-National Studies

 Getting to Know One Another  Situating Ourselves in the Course  What is literacy?: PISA vs PIRLS  Close look at PIRLS  Introduction to ICCS (time permitting)  Introduction to TALIS (time permitting)  The role of international assessments  Housekeeping Agenda

Getting to know one another Elevator Pitch In 30 seconds or less (the amount of time it takes to ride an elevator a few floors), convince the class that the topic of your Paper 1 is an important one.  What is the problem?  What is some evidence that supports your claim that it is a problem?  Why is this problem important?

1 Introduction to Comparative and International Education 2 The Process of Policy Analysis 3 Education Policy Options Course Overview

1 Introduction to Comparative and International Education Course Overview –Week 1 – The Purpose of comparison. What is comparative education? What is international education? –Week 2 – What is education policy? –Week 3 – Comparative and cross-national Studies –Week 4 – Education and Development and Education as a Human Right

What is Literacy?

Definition of Literacy - PISA 2000 Reading literacy is understanding, using and reflecting on written texts, in order to achieve one’s goals, to develop one’s knowledge and potential, and to participate in society Reading literacy is understanding, using, reflecting on and engaging with written texts, in order to achieve one’s goals, to develop one’s knowledge and potential, and to participate in society.

For PIRLS, reading literacy is defined as the ability to understand and use those written language forms required by society and/or valued by the individual. Young readers can construct meaning from a variety of texts. They read to learn, to participate in communities of readers in school and everyday life, and for enjoyment. Definition of Literacy - PIRLS

PISA vs. PIRLS PISA Reading literacy is understanding, using, reflecting on and engaging with written texts, in order to achieve one’s goals, to develop one’s knowledge and potential, and to participate in society. PIRLS For PIRLS, reading literacy is defined as the ability to understand and use those written language forms required by society and/or valued by the individual. Young readers can construct meaning from a variety of texts. They read to learn, to participate in communities of readers in school and everyday life, and for enjoyment.

 How old?  How often?  What kinds of responses?  How many countries?  Who does best? PIRLS – Quick Facts

Google: PIRLS – Sample Questions

 Austria  Belgium (Fl.)  Belgium (Fr.)  Bulgaria  Canada  Chinese Taipei  Denmark  England  France  Georgia  Germany  Hong Kong  Hungary  Iceland  Indonesia  Iran  Israel  Italy  Kuwait  Latvia  Lithuania  Luxembourg  Macedonia  Moldova  Morocco  Netherlands  New Zealand  Norway  Poland  Qatar  Romania  Russian Federation  Scotland  Singapore  Slovak Republic  Slovenia  South Africa  Spain  Sweden  Trinidad and Tobago  United States PIRLS – Participating Countries

 How did the country do?  How many years of schooling?  How old are the students?  How did girls do versus boys?  How many students came from disadvantaged backgrounds?  What was the average achievement of students in schools where at least 50% of students’ first language was not the language of the test?  What is the availability of computers for students?  How often do parents speak with teachers? PIRLS: Pick a country and tell us:

“The purpose of the International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS) is to investigate, in a range of countries, the ways in which young people are prepared and consequently ready and able to undertake their roles as citizens.” (ICCS 2009 Technical Report) International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS) 2009

ICCS Report  What are some of the recent (last 25 years) global trends/conditions that make this type of study important?

Sample questions from ICCS Student Questionnaire

ICCS Questionnaire Which of the following is a political right. The right: A.Of pupils to learn about politics in school. B.Of citizens to vote and stand for [run for] election. C.Of adults to have a job. D.Of politicians to have a salary.

ICCS Questionnaire A woman who has a young child is interviewed for a job at a travel agency. Which of the following is an example of discrimination [injustice]? She does not get the job because... A.She has no previous experience B.She is a mother. C.She speaks only one language. D.She demands a high salary.

ICCS Questionnaire In a democratic country [society] having many organizations for people to join is important because this provides... A. a group to defend members who are arrested. B.many sources of taxes for the government. C. opportunities to express different points of view D.a way for the government to tell people about new laws.

ICCS Questionnaire Three of these statements are opinions and one is a fact. Which of the following is a FACT [the factual statement]? A. People with very low incomes should not pay any taxes. B.In many countries rich people pay higher taxes than poor people. C.It is fair that some citizens pay higher taxes than others. D.Donations to charity are the best way to reduce differences between rich and poor.

“an international study of teachers, teaching, and learning environments. TALIS’s objective is to provide internationally comparable indicators on teachers and teaching to help countries review current conditions and develop informed education policy. TALIS offers an opportunity for teachers and school principals to provide their perspectives on the state of education in their own countries, allowing for a global view of teachers and the education systems in which they work. TALIS is coordinated by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), an intergovernmental organization of industrialized countries.” (nces.gov) Teaching and Learning International Study (TALIS)

“TALIS was first administered in 2008 in 24 countries (the United States did not participate). Results of TALIS 2008 are available at the OECD website ( pdf). TALIS will be administered again in 2013 with updated survey instruments that reflect the policy and research interests of countries around the world. Thirty- three countries, including the United States, are participating in TALIS 2013.” (nces.gov) pdf Teaching and Learning International Study (TALIS)

TALIS

Identify an education policy issue Explain why this issue is important Provide empirical evidence to justify your claims What is empirical evidence? Paper 1

An “A” Paper Clearly identifies an educational problem that can be addressed through policy interventions Focuses on one country or region and provides a brief description of that context Provides a pertinent description of the problem, supported by data Articulates a clear argument regarding the importance of the issue for policy

Paper Format Times New Roman, size 12 font in black ink 1” margins on all sides (top, bottom, left right) APA format including Title page Running head Use APA in-text citations, as well as APA Bibliography Cite every claim you make that is not common knowledge!

Turning in Your Paper Put your student ID on the paper, not your name. Put all of the student IDs of the members of the group that you worked with. Only submit one paper Paper are turned in via dropbox on the course isite (on the “Assignments” tab)

Turning in Your Paper Save your file: HUID_Country or Region_Issue For example: _Thailand_GirlsEducation Or & _LatinAmerica_PrimaryQuality