Assessment for Learning (A4L): an international platform to support national learning assessment systems

This paper proposes the creation of an international platform to support national learning assessment systems: Assessment for Learning (A4L) A4L would aim to: - Develop and strengthen national learning assessment systems, - Increase the availability of learning data at country, regional, and global levels, - Improve the use of learning data to inform educational policy and teacher training, - Develop new assessment tools to measure learning, including beyond reading and numeracy, - Create a clearinghouse where countries can exchange information with each other, with experts, and with assessment organizations. The A4L platform would channel financial and technical assistance to developing countries according to their individual needs and priorities, in order to build the capacity of national learning assessment systems with the aim of improving learning and equity. To this end, it would also convene and support existing initiatives and programs on learning assessments. Its scope would cover early childhood through secondary education.