Chapter 7. How Can Effective Communication of Large-Scale Assessment Results Be Ensured?

For the results of a national large-scale assessment to affect policy decisions and educational practices, results must be clearly and consistently communicated. Instead of a single report, multiple communication products may need to be produced to meet the needs of a broad range of stakeholders: policy makers, teachers, school administrators, textbook authors, teacher trainers, curriculum development professionals, parents, and students. The national large-scale assessment results also need to be communicated effectively to the general public to raise awareness of the current state of educational practices and influence public opinion regarding proposed changes to educational policy (Greaney and Kellaghan 2008).

The diversity of interests and wide variation in technical ability among stakeholder groups can present a challenge to national assessment teams responsible for disseminating results. Although assessment teams in some countries issue a single report after administration of a national large-scale assessment, some countries have the capacity to generate multiple reports and information products tailored to specific groups of stakeholders.

Because stakeholders’ information needs and interests are so diverse, national assessment teams commonly develop a plan for reporting key findings to different stakeholders. The assessment team must ensure that stakeholders are provided with information that is clear, complete, and targeted to the