study – National Assessment and Examinations Center

NAEC’s Participation in the 9th International Research Conference (IRC)

Dr. Sophia Gorgodze represented the NAEC at the 9^th IEA International Research Conference (IRC) which took place on 16-18 November 2021 at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

*Dr. Sophia Gorgodze, the Director of the National Assessment and Examinations Center at IRC 2021*

IRC is an international forum for researchers working with IEA data to exchange ideas and information on critical educational issues. The conference takes place every two years and is hosted by IEA partner institutions. The conference provides an important opportunity for researchers and practitioners to discuss IEA studies and to learn from secondary analyses of published results.

The 9^th IEA International Research Conference (IRC) was dedicated to the theme “Researching Education: Trends and Changes”. Keynote speakers were Dr. Rabbaa Al Sumaiti, Assistant Undersecretary, UAE Ministry of Education and Dr. Matthias von Davier, Executive Director, International Study Center Boston College, USA.

The conference provided the opportunity to meet colleagues and friends, engage in interesting and fruitful discussions and advance explorations and understanding of educational attainment in its context, the roles and needs of education stakeholders, and options for improved education globally.

Each session included several presentations organized around themes related to one or more of the IEA studies (such as ICCS, ICILS, PIRLS, TIMSS), methodology and analysis in large-scale assessment, learning and teaching practice in international education, using IEA data for evaluation or development at national and regional levels, and the policy implications of research.

Reading in Georgia | PIRLS 2021 has Started

Some 5716 pupils and 261 teachers from 192 schools will represent Georgia in Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2021 during October 11 – 20.

Dr. Sophia Gorgodze, the Director of the National Assessment and Examinations Center discussed the ongoing PIRLS 2021 Study in Georgia

PIRLS is an international assessment of reading comprehension, which follows four years of primary schooling. The International Reading Literacy Study is conducted by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) in up to 60 countries and 15 regions around the world. Georgia has been involved in this study since 2006 and has since participated in the 2011 and 2016 studies.

The NAEC is responsible for administering the study locally with the support of school principals and teachers.

This year PIRLS will focus on reading objectives and comprehension process. 4 important components of the reading comprehension process will be evaluated: finding and understanding the information given in the test assignment; making conclusions from the text; interpreting thoughts and information and integrating with existing knowledge; evaluating and critical understanding of the content and textual elements.

Currently, the PIRLS definition of reading literacy is as follows:
“Reading literacy is the ability to understand and use those written language forms
required by society and/or valued by the individual. Readers can construct meaning
from texts in a variety of forms. They read to learn, to participate in communities of
readers in school and everyday life, and for enjoyment.”

The study aims to collect considerable background information from the assessed 9-10-year-old students, their parents, teachers and school principals on how education systems provide educational opportunities to their students, as well as the factors that influence how students use these opportunities. Background data include information about: national curriculum policies in reading; how the education system is organized to facilitate learning; students’ home environment for learning; school climate and resources; and how instruction actually occurs in classrooms. Trend results across assessments permit countries to monitor the effectiveness of their educational systems in a global context.

The PIRLS assessment provides internationally comparable data about how well children read together with information on student home support for literacy, curriculum and curriculum implementation, instructional practices, and school resources.

The NAEC prepares national reports and disseminates them among policy makers and school community members. PIRLS results are discussed at National Education Conferences with teachers, school leaders, education specialists, researchers, and policy makers.

Call for Local IT Consultant to support NAEC

UNDP/Governance Reform Fund announces call for Local IT Consultant to support LEPL the National Assessment and Examinations Centre (NAEC) in ICT Infrastructure and software Architecture. Details can be found here.

Location :	Tbilisi, GEORGIA
Application Deadline :	here.
	Details can be found here.
Additional Category :	Democratic Governance and Peacebuilding
Type of Contract :	Individual Contract
Post Level :	National Consultant
Languages Required :	English
Expected Duration of Assignment :	Up to 60 working days within period of August-December 2021

Details can be found here.

The Latest Findings of International Researches (TIMSS, TALIS, PISA) Have Been Discussed During the Workshop at the NAEC

Zakaria Giunashvili, the Head of the Research and Psychometrics Group and Giorgi Ratiani, the Coordinator of the Research Group introduced the significant factors identified during the latest international research (PISA, TALIS, TIMSS) that have an impact on students’ achievement and social-emotional development.

“It is crucial to organize such gatherings. Hopefully, todays discussion will encourage education specialists and decision makers to draw more attention to the latest findings of international and national research and plan education policy accordingly. ”
Sophia Gorgodze, the Director of the National Assessment and Examinations Center

The workshop was attended by the First Deputy Minister of Education and Science Ekaterine Dgebuadze, representatives from various educational institutions, as well as teachers and school principals that participated in the research. During the meeting, a discussion was held, which mainly focused on the analysis of the improved achievements of IV grade students in rural schools in Georgia that have been highlighted by Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS).

“The increase in results in rural schools was due to the fact that there was a complex approach based on support from the state. Teachers were given an opportunity to listen to subject trainings, at the same time they had the opportunity to include a variety of educational resources in the learning process. It is noteworthy that the culture of teacher cooperation has increased – we share our opinions, even about subject trainings, methods, strategies and we are more focused on the success of a particular student. “
Sophio Kublashvili, the director of Mukhrani №1 public school.

Research is an important direction of the National Assessment and Examinations Center. The center has been involved in international educational research (PISA, PIRLS, TIMSS, TALIS) and conducting national assessments for more than fourteen years.

International Public Speaking Competition 2021

Dr. Sophia Gorgodze attended the final round of the International Public Speaking Competition and participated in judging the participants together with other honorary jury members of the competition.

The international competition was organized by the English Speaking Union (ESU) bringing together young speakers aged 16 to 20 years. The event was attended by representatives of the competition supporting organizations, as well as the British Ambassador to Georgia – his excellency Mr. Mark Clayton and other guests from various diplomatic corps. Eight public speakers addressed the audience. This year’s topic was: “The best route to change engages all voices.”

The best three speeches were selected. Elen Basilashvili became the winner while Meri Gumushi was a runner-up and Elizaveth Metreveli got the third prize. The winner will take part in an international grand finale organized online in London.

The first winner of the International Public Speaking Competition from Georgia became Dr. Sophia Gorgodze in 2002 and she was awarded by Prince Philip in Buckingham Palace. Dr. Gorgodze, who is now the head of the National Assessment and Examinations Center shared her personal experience with the contestants about the visit to the UK and awarding ceremony with representatives of the Royal Family. She also recalled a chat with late Prince Phillip and talked about importance of popularizing English Language and challenges that we have in terms of rural and urban gaps in language achievement.

*Prince Philip and Dr. Sophia Gorgodze, award ceremony at Buckingham Palace*

For nearly 100 years the English Speaking Union (ESU) has been promoting international friendship and understanding through the use of the English language. Initially based in London, it now has over 60 branches worldwide. As part of its work it runs many educational and cultural programmes. The ESU is a charity established by Royal Charter with Her Majesty the Queen as Patron. The former President of the ESU, His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh (1957‑2012) was succeeded by HRH Princess Anne. Georgia joined the ESU in 1998 and held its official launch in 2000, with delegates from 41 countries attending the opening ceremony. The delegation was headed by Lord Watson of Richmond and Valerie Mitchell, Director-General of the ESU. ESU Georgia was founded by Marina Tsitsishvili, who had a distinguished career in establishing cultural links between Georgia and the UK.

PISA 2022 Cycle Pilot Testing Is Underway

The National Assessment and Examinations Center started pilot testing for PISA 2022 on the 16^th of March, 2021.

72 schools from Tbilisi, Adjara, Imereti, Shida and Kvemo Kartli, Samegrelo Zemo-Svaneti and Kakheti are involved in the pilot study. Some 15-year-old students both from public as well as from private schools participate in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). The try out will conclude on the 16^th of April. The main testing is planned for 2022.

Dr. Sophia Gorgodze, Director of the National Assessment and Examinations Center, observed the testing process in the 23^rd and the 124^th schools in Tbilisi.

Pilot testing is being carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health and Social Affairs, as well as the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health.

The International Student Assessment Program (PISA) has been conducted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) since 2000. It involves more than 70 countries around the world. PISA measures 15-year-olds’ ability to use their reading, mathematics and science knowledge and skills to meet real-life challenges. It aims to equip citizens with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve their full potential, to contribute to an increasingly interconnected world, and to convert better skills into better lives needs to become a more central preoccupation of policy makers around the world.

Georgia has been involved in the International Student Assessment Program (PISA) as a partner country since 2009 and has so far participated in all cycles of 2009, 2015 and 2018.

Continue to Study in Georgia

The National Assessment and Examinations Center supports Georgian citizens’ endeavors to continue studying in Georgia. Therefore, each year the Center opens call for applicants who are willing to transfer from foreign universities to Georgian higher educational institutions.

This year the registration started from the 20^th of February and will be open until the 5^th of February 18:00pm.

Eligible candidates should be citizens of Georgia who have studied / are studying and have received credits / qualifications at a higher education institution recognized by law in a foreign country (they have been abroad for a period of study, not less than 75 days per semester).

Detailed information regarding registration procedures can be found here.

Please click for the test sample.

Application form can be downloaded from here.

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2019

The National Assessment and Examinations Center offers the results of Georgia within the framework of an international survey on Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2019.

Conducted every four years since 1995, TIMSS has been a valuable tool for monitoring international trends in mathematics and science achievement at the fourth and eighth grades. Georgia was first involved in 2007 and since then has participated in TIMSS 2011, 2015 and 2019. Georgia was represented by both 4th and 8th grades. The study was administered by the National Assessment and Examinations Center.

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) enables participating countries assess their education system, existing teaching practices, and identify obstacles to teaching mathematics and science. The study evaluates the achievement dynamics of the same educational level student compared to previous cycles, and also shows whether student achievement has changed over the years at different stages of learning process in the country (primary and lower secondary).

64 countries participated in TIMSS 2019. 58 countries and 6 regions participated in fourth grade assessment, and 39 countries and 7 regions participated in eighth grade assessment.

From 2019, TIMSS switched to electronic assessment (e-TIMSS). Before stepping towards e-Assessment Georgia conducted a transitional Bridge research. The research fieldwork was conducted from April 24 to May 29, 2019. 226 schools from Tbilisi and different regions of the country participated in the TIMSS 2019 cycle throughout Georgia. A total of 154 fourth (6,002 students) and 145 eighth graders (5,698 students) participated.

Specially designed questionnaires were also completed by school principals, teachers and parents / guardians of fourth graders.

The report can be found here.

The presentation in Georgian can be seen here.

The presentation in English can be downloaded from here.Download

In addition, for the first time, interested parties will have an opportunity to visit the TIMSS website and receive information about the main data of the 2019 survey in Georgian.

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2019 Results, Georgia

On 8^th of December the National Assessment and Examinations Center published the results of Georgia within the framework of an international survey on Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2019.

Today, an international presentation of the TIMSS 2019 report was held by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. The event, which was attended by education professionals and accredited journalists from all over the world, covered the main findings and challenges of the research. Sophio Gorgodze, the Director of the National Assessment and Examinations Center also participated in the following discussion.

64 countries participated in TIMSS 2019. 58 countries and 6 regions participated in fourth grade assessment, and 39 countries and 7 regions participated in eighth grade assessment.

Specially designed questionnaires were also completed by school principals, teachers and parents / guardians of fourth graders.

The international average score is 500.

The results of Georgia in 2019:

Mathematics (4th grade) – 482 points;

Mathematics (8th grade) – 461;

Natural Sciences (4th grade) – 454;

Natural Sciences (8th grade) – 447.

The results of the research revealed that in the 2019, Georgian fourth-graders significantly improved their achievements in mathematics. Georgia was also named among the five countries that have increased the most compared to 2015.

“These results of the study show the progress as well as the current challenges. Advancement is really obvious. It is clear that the results of the fourth graders have improved in mathematics, and in one direction (direction-numbers) for the first time since 2007 exceeded the international average. Achievements in eighth grade mathematics and science at both levels remain a challenge, with only minor improvements that are not statistically significant; However, if we look at the data in rural and urban contexts, it appears that rural fourth-graders have significantly improved their results in natural science. Also, according to the available data, the differences in the achievement between rural and urban schools are decreasing and almost eliminated. ”
Sophia Gorgodze, the Director of the National Assessment and Examinations Center.

The initial report and presentation of Georgia can be found here.

In addition, for the first time, interested parties will have an opportunity to visit the TIMSS website and receive information about the main data of the 2019 survey in Georgian.

Teachers and School Leaders as Valued Professionals (TALIS) 2018 Report, Georgia

The OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) is the largest international survey asking teachers and school leaders about their working conditions and learning environments. It provides a barometer of the profession every five years.

Georgia has been involved in TALIS since 2013. In 2018 Georgia’s participation was made possible through the financial support of Second Compact of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) with Georgia, administered by Millennium Challenge Account – Georgia (MCA-Georgia).

Across all survey components, approximatively 260 000 teachers responded to the survey, representing more than 8 million teachers in 48 participating countries and economies. In Georgia, 3 101 lower secondary teachers and 177 principals completed the TALIS questionnaires.

Based on the voice of teachers and school leaders, TALIS 2018 report offers a series of policy recommendations to help strengthen the professionalisation of teaching careers. The report aims to provide an in-depth analysis of teachers’ and school leaders’ perceptions of the value of their profession, their work-related well-being and stress, and their satisfaction with their working conditions. It also offers a description of teachers’ and school leaders’ contractual arrangements, opportunities to engage in professional tasks such as collaborative teamwork, autonomous decision making, and leadership practices.

Nine main themes were selected for inclusion in the TALIS 2018 survey: teachers’ instructional practices; school leadership; teachers’ professional practices; teacher education and initial preparation; teacher feedback and development; school climate; job satisfaction; teacher human resource issues and stakeholder relations; and teacher self-efficacy. Two cross-cutting themes were added to this list: innovation; and equity and diversity.

A detailed report of TALIS 2018 country-by-country can be found here.