Global Dataset on Education Quality: A Review and Update (2000–2017)

This paper presents the most expansive and current cross-country dataset on education quality. The database includes 164 countries/territories covering over 98 percent of the global population from 2000-2017. Of these countries, 111 are low or middleincome economies. Harmonized learning outcomes are produced using a conversion factor to compare international and regional standardized achievement tests. These tests include PISA, TIMSS, PIRLS, SACMEQ, LLECE and PASEC. In addition, this paper includes the Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) for the first time. This enables extension of the database substantially. This methodological update paves the way to include a series of assessments that are increasingly common in developing countries that are often excluded from large international assessments. The database includes mean scores and disaggregates the data by subject, level, and gender. This paper further presents a series of methodological improvements including measures of uncertainty, fixed conversion factors for greater comparability over time and year-by-year data.