About this Book

IEA, the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement, conducts worldwide comparative studies of educational achievement. It is well known for its cycles of studies, such as the Trends in Mathematics and Science Studies (TIMSS) and the Progress in Reading Literacy Studies (PIRLS), as well as studies focused on particular subjects and themes such as civics education and ICT in education. IEA's founding meeting took place in 1958 at the Unesco Office in Hamburg (Germany). This first meeting, it turned out, heralded the beginning of many impressive international comparative assessment studies. Over the 50 years since that initial meeting, the IEA has developed into a highly renowned research organization with a membership of more than 60 education systems (or countries) worldwide. In 2008, the IEA celebrated its 50th anniversary at the 49th General Assembly meeting in Berlin where, during a special Roundtable Session, a number of honorary members shared their past experiences in IEA with the IEA representatives present. It was clear that the IEA had evolved over the years to become not only a vibrant, global organization, but also an international community of friends and colleagues, all of whom were deeply committed to their involvement in IEA. This book presents experiences and memories of IEA members from all over the world, reflecting a wide variety of foci on the IEA and its studies, including: personal memories; how studies were originated, designed and developed; the impact of IEA studies on a country's policy and practice; and perspectives of observers involved in IEA's activities. - back cover.