IEA is pleased to announce the release of the IEA’s Technical Standards for International Large-Scale Assessment. Developed by the IEA Technical Executive Group, this new publication reflects over 25 years of evolution in the field of international large-scale assessments (ILSAs).
Since the first Technical Standards for IEA Studies was published in 1999, the ILSA landscape has expanded considerably—both in the number of participating countries and the influence of assessment data on educational policy and public discourse. The revised standards reaffirm IEA’s ongoing commitment to technical excellence, transparency, and innovation.
These updated standards respond to major developments in the field, including:
- The transformation of studies like TIMSS, PIRLS, ICCS, and ICILS into cyclical trend assessments;
- The shift from print- to computer-based assessment, enabling process data and adaptive testing;
- Growing study complexity, with optional modules and tailored instruments; and
- A stronger focus on data protection, aligned with global standards such as the GDPR.
As ILSAs continue to grow in reach and relevance, the new standards provide essential guidance to ensure the quality, comparability, and integrity of educational assessment worldwide.