Monitoring Study in Schools of CIS Countries Using Russian Tools for Assessing the Quality of Education
One of the largest projects of the READ Program in 2021–2024 was the preparation and implementation of an intercountry monitoring study in schools of CIS countries using Russian tools for assessing the quality of education. The monitoring covered Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Belarus, with a research sample of over 10,000 students. All tools used in the monitoring process underwent localization and piloting, ensuring their alignment with national education systems and cultural contexts.
Between 2021 and 2023, country-specific versions of tools for assessing students’ subject competencies in mathematics, 21st-century skills, and ICT literacy were adapted. Supporting materials were developed, and a pilot study confirmed the reliability and applicability of the methodology. Preparations for the monitoring included training national teams: specialists from partner countries participated in workshops on conducting monitoring and data collection, mastering the three-level SAM assessment methodology and learning to apply the tools effectively in practice.
The main phase of the monitoring took place in 2024 and involved testing primary and secondary school students, processing the results, and analyzing the collected data. The monitoring enabled the gathering of crucial information about the quality of education and identified key educational gaps. This work was carried out in close collaboration with the ministries of education and national assessment centers of partner countries, contributing to the creation of a professional community united by shared goals.
The results of the monitoring were summarized during an international conference held in Yerevan in November 2024. The conference brought together experts from CIS countries, who discussed the research findings, presented country reports, and developed recommendations to improve educational outcomes. This forum became a vital platform for sharing experiences, strengthening cooperation among countries, and shaping joint strategies for further enhancing education quality.
The implementation of such a large-scale monitoring study demonstrated the demand for Russian methodologies in assessing the quality of education and highlighted their contribution to building a unified cultural and educational space across CIS countries. The monitoring marked a significant step toward strengthening international cooperation and improving the quality of education in partner countries within the BEQIP framework.
