Contributions and limitations of an international investigation. The case of the PISA study in French speaking Switzerland.

Abstract

The PISA study is a cyclical international project aimed at measuring the competency levels of 15 year olds. Through the experience of putting this study into action within a restricted geographical area (French speaking Switzerland), rather impressive reactions to the first results could be seen within the education community of French speaking Switzerland. The value, the quality and the complexity of the available information posses a certain number of questions about the data’s interpretation, its distribution and its use. Problems concerning the examination of the results at different levels will also be looked at. The results were meant to be used in an international comparison and not at the local level.