Policy Linking for Measuring Global Learning Outcomes Toolkit
Linking Assessments to the Global Proficiency Framework
Policy Linking
What is Policy Linking?
Policy Linking is a way to “link” national or subnational math and reading assessments to the Global Proficiency Framework (GPF) – a global common set of performance standards – so that educators can understand how their students are progressing in a country, region, and global context.
It’s different from other approaches as it is a specific, non-statistical method that uses expert judgment to relate learners’ scores on different assessments to the GPF or global minimum proficiency levels.
Policy Linking is also an efficient, cost-effective method for reporting on global indicators, such as the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Indicator 4.1.1 (a, b, and c) and the USAID Foreign Assistance (“F”) Indicators related to math and reading.
This approach has been developed and tested by educators, curriculum experts, and assessment experts from around the world to benefit students, teachers, administrators and Ministries of Education with reading and math education. It is supported by leading organizations including USAID, World Bank, UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), UK's Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and the Australian Council for Education Research (ACER) and the Gates Foundation.
Through tailored workshops held in-person, virtually, or in a hybrid format, key education stakeholders, including organizations, government officials, and educators, can learn how to implement policy linking in their context.
Register for an upcoming workshop or learn more about holding a workshop in your region
How to use this toolkit
This toolkit provides guidance, materials, and templates to support the planning and facilitation of local Policy Linking workshops. On this page, you can navigate through different sections of the toolkit by clicking the tabs on the left.
Additionally, learn more about UIS by visiting its website.
Key Resources
Self-assessment of the appropriateness of Policy Linking
The first step for Policy Linking is to make sure it's the right approach.
Policy Linking can and does yield many benefits, and this initial assessment is critical for stakeholders to understand what they will be able to take away from the process. In some cases, the available data may lead to valuable insights, but the results will not be accepted by global reporting. In other cases, the results will be aligned such that data can be directly reported to the SDG 4.1.1.
Explore the annex to understand how this country-led and partner-supported assessment is conducted and what criteria are used.
Key Resources
Preparation for the Policy Linking workshop
Preparing for a Policy Linking workshop is critical to support a country’s data alignment goals. The process of planning ensures the best outcomes for the workshop itself and can also bolster networks and systems to support future collaborations.
These resources help countries and partners in identifying who should be involved, what role they can play, and other considerations to take into account before launching the workshop.
The annexes provide a step-by-step guide for identifying participants, planning activities, budgeting, preparing materials, and training facilitators.
Key Resources
Implementation of Policy Linking workshop
The Policy Linking workshop takes place over several days and includes specific presentations and activities led by different facilitators.
With this approach, countries are able to use these sessions to not only align their data to global minimum proficiency standards, but also to build and strengthen the capacity of those who participate.
The facilitating team will introduce the workshop methodology and the GPF, which are valuable tools for Policy Linking and beyond.
The three primary tasks of the workshop include:
- Checking the content alignment between the assessments and the GPF using a standardized procedure
- Matching the assessment items with the GPF
- Setting three global benchmarks for each assessment using a standardized method
These materials can be used for facilitating those tasks and includes guidance and tips for facilitators on how to lead the workshop and when to do what.
Key Resources
- Annex G – Workshop Facilitation Slides
- Annex H – Alignment Rating Form for Task 1
- Annex I – Item Rating Forms
- Annex J – Precision, Accuracy and Consistency Statistics
- Annex K – Invitation Letter Template for Observers
- Annex L – Invitation Letter Template for Workshop Panelists
- Annex M – Panelist Demographic Information
- Annex N – Pre-Workshop Statistics
- Annex O – Feedback Data Examples and Instructions
- Annex P – Agenda Timings for Workshop
- Annex Q – Sample Agendas for a In-person and Remote Workshops
- Annex R – Workshop Evaluation Form
- Annex S – Content Facilitator Slides
- Annex T – Benchmark Calculations for the Workshop
- Annex U – Certificate of Appreciation Template
Self-assessment of workshop outcomes and reporting results
The final piece of the Policy Linking process is to document that the process yielded reliable data for the desired alignment.
This post-workshop assessment measures participant reactions and that the group was representative. It also ensures that the data has been sufficiently analyzed to account for outliers and a standard of error.
This assessment reveals if data can be used for SDG 4.1.1 reporting, or if elements of the workshop should be repeated.
These resources support the collection of the post-workshop assessment and provide the specific information countries will need to provide to UIS for SDG 4.1.1.