Progress in International Reading Literacy Study 2021 : South African main report

Abstract

The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) assesses reading comprehension and monitors trends and indicators of growth in reading literacy at five-year intervals. This project falls under the auspices of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). The PIRLS international scale has a range that is set from 0 to 1 000, with a centre point of 500, and a standard deviation of 100. PIRLS 2021 marks the fourth cycle of South Africa’s participation in the study. Studies like PIRLS allow participating countries to make international comparisons across education systems and monitor trends and indicators of growth in the early phases of children’s education. While attention will be drawn to the overall league table standings that are released after every cycle to indicate country positions, the value of large-scale international assessments is most valuable in analysing data and trends against the IEA’s tripartite curricular framework. In this framework, the link between the intended curriculum (as described by policy and curricular documents), the implemented curriculum (that which is taught in schools) and the attained curriculum (as seen by learner achievement) is essential for ensuring that assessment instruments that are developed are fair, reliable, valid and accurate for cross-national use. It is important to note that PIRLS 2021 is the first international large-scale assessment to report achievement trends after successfully collecting data during the COVID-19 pandemic, assessing 400 000 students in 57 countries. PIRLS achievement trends in fourth grade reading show a negative impact from the COVID-19 pandemic; home and school socioeconomic status persist as strong indicators of achievement; most children attend schools with positive environments; and many learners and their parents only “somewhat” like reading. Among the 57 participating countries, Africa is underrepresented and South Africa is one of three countries to participate with countries using developed education systems from the global north (Europe, North America, Middle and Far East). In the Sub-Saharan region, South Africa is the only participating country.