Using Student Test Results for Accountability and Improvement

This report discusses the most relevant issues concerning using student test results in OECDcountries. Initially the report provides an overview of how student test results are reported in OECDcountries and how stakeholders in these countries use and perceive of the results. The report then reviewsthe literature relating to using student test results for accountability and improvement purposes. Twogeneral findings can be drawn from the literature: (1) accountability based on student test results can be apowerful tool for changing teacher and school behaviour, but it often creates unintended strategicbehaviour, and (2) no test can be a perfect indicator of student performance. Drawing from these findingsthe report discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using student test results for accountability andimprovement. The discussion touches upon four themes: (1) assessment design, (2) the use of test results,(3) stakeholder involvement, and (4) implementation.