INTERNATIONAL ASSESSMENT PIRLS

Abstract

The progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) is a large-scale, international assessment designed to measure the reading comprehension abilities of fourth-grade students worldwide. Administered every five years, PIRLS evaluates how well students can understand and interpret written texts, with the aim of providing a comparative analysis of educational systems across countries. PIRLS focuses on two key areas: reading for literary experience and reading to acquire and use information. It offers insights into instructional practices, home environments, and socio-economic factors that impact reading development. Countries participating in PIRLS use the data to inform educational policies and improve reading literacy programs. Since its inception in 2001, PIRLS has expanded to include prePIRLS, an easier version of the test for emerging readers, and ePIRLS, a digital reading component. The results offer critical insights into the strengths and weaknesses of reading education worldwide, making PIRLS a valuable tool for educators, policymakers, and researchers interested in improving reading outcomes for students globally.