Use and Impact of PIRLS
Over the past 20 years, many briefs, reports, and studies produced primarily by UNESCO, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) have spurred discussions on how to adapt schools to new social and cultural realities. The Québec Education Program, as part of a project involving more than 500 teachers, school administrators, consultants, and other education professionals, has incorporated findings from this research into its objectives for students. The positive results of Québec students from PIRLS 2001 and subsequent cycles confirm the effectiveness of various initiatives taken in Québec over the last several years. However, there is still room for improvement when it comes to helping students with reading difficulties and reducing the achievement gap between boys and girls.