Using assessment items from the UIS and other item banks - the AMPL initiative

• In Event: Highlighted Session: Reporting on SDG 4.1.1: A critical examination of the costs and benefits of emerging options

Proposal

This paper examines an emergent method for comparing learning outcomes results across assessment, contexts, and time. Referred to as the Assessment for Minimum Proficiency Levels (AMPL), the method involves the development of short assessments that are aligned to the Minimum Proficiency Levels in reading and mathematics referred to in SDG indicator 4.1.1.

The paper will examine the AMPL method in terms of the following dimensions:
• Technical rigor
• Value for money
• Efficiency of data collection
• Efficiency of reporting/turn-around time of results
• Utilisation of public goods
• Provision of tools to support educational jurisdictions to utilize the method independently
• Capacity development of assessment centers in educational jurisdictions
• Democratic and participatory processes that engage participating jurisdictions

As the method is emerging, this paper will draw heavily on the initial experience gained through developing AMPL as a product of the Monitoring Impact of COVID-19 on Learning Outcomes in Six African countries, a UIS project funded by GPE in which the Australian Council for Educational Research was the technical lead responsible for the development of the AMPL methods https://milo.uis.unesco.org/report/. Specifically, the method currently has evolved to measure Minimum Proficiency at the end of primary schooling, but the paper will also be forward-looking, as there are plans to expand the AMPL program to measure Minimum Proficiency in reading and mathematics the other two levels referenced in SDG4.1.1: end of lower secondary schooling and end of lower primary schooling.

Importantly, the development of AMPL includes the development of Technical Standards that help ensure the precision and validity of the sample, the quality of the field operations and resulting data, and the quality of the psychometric analysis. This paper will present the AMPL as a relatively fast and cheap direct assessment of targeted indicators that meets well-developed standards, builds assessment capacity, that is readily available, efficient, and fit for purpose.

Author

• Maurice Walker