The NASUWT believes that international comparative studies of education can make an important contribution to the development of education policy in the UK.

However, the Union remains concerned that such studies can be misinterpreted and misused by governments and others to defend unreasonable assertions about the performance of UK education systems.

The NASUWT engages directly and through its membership of Education International (EI) and the Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC) to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OCED) in the development, implementation and interpretation of key international comparative studies.

These include the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), the Teaching and Learning International Study (TALIS), the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMMS) and the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS).

The aim of the Union’s work in these areas is to ensure that these studies are used appropriately and authentically.