Participation International Research

As a leader in test development and evaluation, Cito participates in the following research programmes:

• Periodical Assessment of the Research Level (National Assessment)
  What are Dutch schools trying to teach their students? And what are students learning? What changes have occurred over the years in education and testing? The PARL publications from Cito answer these questions.
  
  Cito has been involved in this research programme for over ten years for the Dutch Ministry of Education. All education subjects in primary education are reviewed in a five year cycle.
  
  
• COOL (International cohort study)
  Cito participates in the COOL, which monitors the student achievements in primary and secondary education until 2015. Cito carries out research into secondary education.
  
  
• Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)
  PISA evaluates how 15 year olds in major industrialised countries apply their knowledge and skills in everyday situations. PISA gathers information about attitudes of students towards learning. PISA provides participating countries an international standard with which they can periodically compare their results.
  
  
• Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)
  The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages is a guideline that describes student achievements in foreign languages across Europe.
  Cito is involved in the development and implementation of this framework.
  
  
• European Bank of Anchor items for Foreign Language Skill (EBAFLS)
  The EBAFLS helps countries determine with which CEFR level of their language examinations correspond to.
  
  
• European Survey of Language Competence (ESLC)
  ESLC compares second language learning for students in their final year of lower secondary education. ESLC uses the CEFR scales.