State Level

• International Standards – Examples
• Practice Assessments for Comparison Purposes
• Standards Comparison and Alignment Methods
• Miscellaneous

International Standards – Examples

• Participate in PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) and/or TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) assessments with students, when possible. (Refer to the School and District Level of Section I - International Standards for more detailed information about PISA and TIMSS assessments).
• Review the findings from the OECD’s project The Definition and Selection of Key Competencies (DeSeCo). This project identified competencies that are demanded of individuals in a highly interconnected and competitive world.

Practice Assessments for Comparison Purposes

• Provide incentives and/or other support for schools and districts that choose to use online practice tests to see how students compare to international standards.
• Review sample assessment items from PISA at http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pisa/items.asp?sub=yes.
• TIMSS Challenge in Math and Science: www.edinformatics.com/timss/timss_intro.htm. These online assessments provide sample TIMSS assessments in math and science, for grades 3, 4, 7, 8 and 12.
• Use Dare to Compare: http://nces.ed.gov/timss, or http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/eyk/ (direct link to test).  These online assessments have been created using TIMSS, NAEP and CivEd questions. Sample assessments can be found in:
• Math – grades 4, 8 and 12
• Science – grades 4 and 8
• Civics – grades 4, 8 and 9
• Geography – grades 4, 8 and 12
• Economics – grade 12
• History – grades 4, 8 and 12.

Standards Comparison and Alignment Methods

• Fund a study to compare state standards to international standards. Identify gaps and then align K-12 and postsecondary standards to international standards. This may result in developing new standards, amending existing standards or augmenting existing standards at state level.
• Require a statewide alignment process to include K-12, postsecondary education, and workforce development standards and expectations.
• Create formative or summative assessments aligned to international standards and provide fiscal and/or other support for schools and districts to administer them.

Miscellaneous