As education adapts to a tech-driven future, defining and measuring crucial student outcomes is essential for developing resilient, capable learners.
By Yuri Belfali, Head of Early Childhood and Schools, OECD, Robbie Dean, Senior Director, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning at Teach For All and the Global Institute for Shaping a Better Future, Olivier Bréchard, Director of International Relations at Learning Planet Institute, and Molade Adeniyi, CEO of Teach For Nigeria
The rapid evolution of technology and the pervasive influence of AI are transforming our societal fabric, particularly impacting how younger generations are educated. This transformation brings both opportunities and significant challenges, as the demands of the future workforce require adaptability and robust problem-solving skills. Notably, the PISA 2025 results have starkly highlighted declining competencies in the skills essential for thriving in an increasingly digital world. While some educational systems succeed in fostering critical attributes like adaptability and a growth mindset, many fall short, leading to urgent questions about what student outcomes truly matter and how best to assess them.
Aligning Education with Future Needs
At a recent gathering hosted in New York by our organizations at Education House, a dialogue unfolded among educators and students on the essential need for school systems to nurture not only academic progress but also social and emotional development. Acknowledging the significance of these broader student outcomes isn't a novelty; however, there's a newfound consensus on the importance of defining and evaluating them effectively. The OECD's Education for Human Flourishing framework champions values such as collective agency, persistence, and healthy relationships. In parallel, insights gleaned from Teach For All’s global network identify six key interconnected outcomes: purpose, wellbeing, awareness, connectedness, agency, and expertise.
Challenges of Current Assessment Systems
Despite the emergence of these frameworks, many educational institutions struggle to measure what truly matters. As Raquel Jardim, a student at Williams College, observed from her educational journey, “I wanted to make my community a better place, but throughout my education I was told my only measure of success was to get into college. Instead of being evaluated on problem-solving or empathy, I was only prepared for multiple-choice college admission tests.” Such experiences highlight the disconnect between the skills taught and the skills needed.
New Approaches to Measurement
Emerging evidence suggests that measuring holistic student outcomes can create a pathway to a brighter future. The PISA framework notably integrates core academic skills with multi-dimensional outcomes, encompassing aspirations, technology use, and social belonging. A recent study from the Global Institute for Shaping a Better Future indicates that when educators use assessments that capture students’ holistic experiences alongside feedback from peers and self-reflection, they achieve better educational results. Research from the RAND Corporation on Teach For Nigeria corroborates this, showing that measuring foundational skills along with empathy and awareness enables teachers to identify and meet their students’ needs more effectively.
Global Innovations in Assessment
In various parts of the world, noteworthy alternatives to traditional assessments are gaining traction. The Learning Planet Institute is investigating how student-led research and long-term learning portfolios can better showcase agency and awareness, providing deeper insights into learner trajectories. In Taiwan, educational systems now incorporate learning portfolios into university admissions, supplementing examination results.
Intentionality in Measurement
Measurement for a better future
It's evident that the outcomes we prioritize in education require intentional development and comprehensive assessment strategies. Achieving this necessitates a clear understanding of what is being measured, responsiveness to various contexts, and triangulation of information from multiple evidence sources. The challenge lies not just in measuring more but in measuring what genuinely matters. Now is the time for educators and educational leaders to reevaluate what we are preparing students for and ensure the metrics we use align with the vision of the future we aspire to create.
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