Student learning study: status of student learning across 18 states of India in urban and rural schools

The research study is titled ‘Student Learning Study’ and is a large scale research effort. The test was developed in 13 languages and administered to approximately 1.02 lakh students in about 2400 schools in 48 districts in the 18 participating states and 1 Union Territory. This is a diagnostic study which provides granular information on the quality of children’s learning and insights that can help various stakeholders – ranging from policy makers to curriculum designers to teachers and parents – take appropriate steps to improve the educational quality. Expert partners in this study include professors from – the Indian Statistical Institute (on sampling), NUEPA (on providing school lists with enrolment), CIIL (for test adaptations and translation validations), HBCSE (for feedback on test items), University of Michigan (for expertise on collection of background parameters and checking their impact on learning) and other international experts for inputs based on NAEP and TIMSS sampling, IRT scales for embedding international anchor items and validation of IRT data interpretation on specific items. The tests were scheduled in the period December 2008 – March 2009. The report is published and is available in public domain.