Use and Impact of PIRLS
The main contributions of PIRLS to education in Qatar have been its focus on an early start for reading instruction, early interventions for weak learners, and a continued focus on reading throughout the primary level. Analyzing student performance on PIRLS 2006 and PIRLS 2011 informed the Ministry of Education and Higher Education about the reading abilities of Qatari students in the fourth grade, as well as differences in performance among subgroups (e.g., boys and girls) and school types. The results have been reported to various officials, government committees, and universities. PIRLS findings also have been reported in the press and disseminated to schools, encouraging some schools to include the reading skills measured in PIRLS in their curricula. In some schools, talks and workshops have been provided to parents regarding how to create a positive home reading environment. Additionally, teachers can access reports on students’ performance on the Qatar Comprehensive Educational Assessment (QCEA, the country’s national assessment) and on international studies including PIRLS, TIMSS, and the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
Following PIRLS 2011, the International Studies Department of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education developed a plan to meet international standards in all schools in Qatar. The department has benefited from the recommendations that were presented following analysis of the PIRLS 2011 results. The aim of this plan is to improve upon the standards of the international study curriculum, and the performance of students enrolled in the International Studies Department. The plan focuses on defining, classifying, and comparing international standards with national standards or educational reality, students’ levels, and the efficiency of the educational resources used in the field. The International Studies Department conducts training workshops for tests’ subject coordinators, and then develops action remedy plans to be implemented in schools. A comprehensive media plan has been developed to implement the action plan; promote competition among students; and raise the awareness of students, parents, and teachers of the importance of participating in international tests.
Because PIRLS is conducted every five years, Qatar’s participation in PIRLS 2006 and 2011 represents a baseline from which the country can track its progress in fourth grade reading performance over time. The comparison of the 2006, 2011, and 2016 PIRLS cycles will present Qatar with unbiased indicators that provide perspective on the status of the education system in Qatar as compared to international standards.