IKM-PLUS – National Competency Assessments in Austria – An Instrument for Evidence-Based School and Quality Development (Poster 5)

• In Event: Division H: Global Perspectives on Standardized Assessment

Abstract

Over the past two decades, data-based decision-making has become crucial in Austria’s educational policy, particularly for school improvement and evidence-based development (Braun & Jonach, 2021). In response, the Federal Institute for Quality Assurance in the Austrian School System (IQS) developed the standardized national competency assessment, “Individual Skills Assessments PLUS” (iKMPLUS), under the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (Stauber et al., 2024). This assessment measures students' attainment of learning outcomes in German, Mathematics, and English (secondary schools) for primary (grades 3-4) and secondary education (grades 7-8) against national educational standards. The results are intended for individual diagnostics and system monitoring (Opriessnig et al., 2024). The poster provides an overview of the history, theoretical framework, implementation methods, and the reception of iKMPLUS, along with support measures for school development offered by Salzburg University of Education (Gruber-Glatz & Koidl, 2023).

Authors

• Maria Neubacher, Salzburg University of Education

• Anja Stauber, Federal Institute for Quality Assurance in the Austrian School System