Learning Comprehensive School System

Assessments of Learning Outcomes in Developing Education

Authors

• Juhani Rautopuro Jyväskylän yliopisto
• Najat Ouakrim-Soivio
• Jussi Välimaa

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33350/ka.119753

Keywords:

basic school, education system, assessment of learning outcomes, educational equality

Abstract

In this article, we examine the role of international and national assessments of learning outcomes as a part of the construction of the Finnish compulsory education school. We analyze how the Finnish basic education system utilizes the results of the learning outcomes in system steering and educational policy making. The research data consist of analyses of empirical research results of national and international assessments as well as teaching administration documents that have guided the basic teaching system. Our review is based on a systematic analysis of these data sets. We discuss how learning outcomes have been used as a steering instrument in compulsory education school development and education policy. Finally, we consider education policy as a political project the goal of which was, in the first place, to create an equal and fair society.