Teachers are now experiencing the age of quantitative test-driven assessment, in which there is little weight accorded to teacher-based judgement about student progress. In the Australian context, the NAPLaN test has become a driving force in school and teacher accountability. The language of NAPLaN is one of bands and numerical scores and…

The measurement of the evolution of illiteracy is the focus of this study. An elementary method for estimating the short-term evolution of the number of illiterates forms the subject of the first part of this analysis. This method is based on the demographic growth rate, the product of the school system and past trends. The second part is devoted…

In its summary of the literacy situation in thirteen Asian countries, this report analyzes the problems created by illiteracy and makes recommendations to aid in its eradication. Recognizing that illiteracy prevents people from participating in or contributing to their nation's development, part 1 in its general report develops a model national…