On September 26, senior researcher and manager of British Council’s Assessment Research Group, keynote speaker of the IAEA’s 45th conference Dr Jamie Dunlea delivered his presentation on the topic “The role of standard-setting in the effective implementation of common standards in education reform”.
The lecture examined some common challenges faced by countries applying standards in education systems. Application of Common European Language Framework (CEFR) standards in the exams in Europe and Asia, as well as Chinese standards of English language skills that have emerged recently were the focal points of the presentation. According to Jamie Dunlea, the core part of adapting tests to the standards is the methodology of determining the standards. Although not perfect, the methodology of adapting exams to the standards is equally important for teachers who design internal tests at schools as a part of nationwide large-scale assessment tests. The key feature of the standards implementation requires sufficient training for teachers in the coordination of tests and assessments, including the process of determination of standards.
Note that, the 45th International Association for Educational Assessment (IAEA) Annual Conference “Assessment and Decision Making: Individual and Institutional Solutions” brings together more than 300 delegates from 55 countries. Being a permanent member of the organization, the State Examination Center (SEC) closely cooperates with IAEA on establishment of international cooperation in the field of educational assessment and attend its events regularly. The IAEA has been holding such conferences every year since 1975. Azerbaijan was the first CIS country to host IAEA conference in 2007.
The IAEA 2019 international conference will last until September 27.
Note: Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC) is the official media partner of the State Examination Center in covering the IAEA 2019.