Work programme 2012-2015
Measuring Learning Outcomes in Higher Education: Lessons Learnt from the AHELO Feasibility Study and Next Steps
The OECD hosted a conference on Measuring Learning Outcomes in Higher Education: Lessons Learnt from the AHELO Feasibility Study and Next Steps to present the results of the AHELO Feasibility Study, reflect on the deeper questions raised about learning outcomes of higher education and consider the way forward.
What is the AHELO Feasibility Study?
The OECD is carrying out a Feasibility Study for the Assessment of Higher Education Learning Outcomes. The purpose of this Feasibility Study is to see if it is practically and scientifically feasible to assess what students in higher education know and can do upon graduation.
More than a ranking, the AHELO assessment aims to be direct evaluation of student performance at the global level and valid across diverse cultures, languages and different types of institutions.
A full scale AHELO would be a a “low stakes” voluntary international comparative assessment designed to provide higher education institutions with feedback on the learning outcomes of their students and which they can use to foster improvement in student learning outcomes.
Feasibility Study Report
The first volume on Design and Implementation which was published in December 2012 (full report, executive summary).
The second volume on Data Analysis and National Experiences was published in March 2013 (full report, executive summary).
The third and final volume of the Report from the OECD’s Feasibility Study on the Assessment of Higher Education Learning Outcomes (AHELO) is now available. This volume on Further Insights includes the conclusions from the expert group on the Value-added Measurement and the Conference proceedings. A literature review on the Value-Added Measurement also contributed to this third volume.
All three volumes can be found on the AHELO Feasibility Study website.