ETS to help NCERT PARAKH design, develop large-scale assessments for schools

NEW DELHI: The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has signed an agreement with Educational Testing Service (ETS) to strengthen Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development (PARAKH), an online platform for school assessments.

Under the agreement, ETS will share its expertise in designing, developing, and administering large-scale assessments globally. The testing service will support NCERT in enhancing the quality and validity of PARAKH assessments, developing test items, and conducting research on assessment methodologies. It will also help NCERT in building capacity among teachers and school administrators for using PARAKH results to improve teaching and learning practices.

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“The collaboration between NCERT and ETS is expected to bring in new insights, innovations, and efficiencies in PARAKH assessments and contribute to the overall improvement of the quality of education in India,” said an official statement from NCERT.

Professor Indrani Bhaduri, head, PARAKH, NCERT, said, "We are pleased to collaborate with ETS, a globally renowned organization in assessments, to strengthen PARAKH. This partnership will help us in bringing international best practices in assessment design and administration to India and enhance the quality and relevance of PARAKH assessments."

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Kadriye Ercikan, vice president of research and measurement sciences, ETS, said, "We are excited to partner with NCERT to support their mission of improving educational outcomes for all students. PARAKH is a promising initiative that has the potential to transform the assessment landscape in India, and we look forward to contributing to its success."

PARAKH was launched by NCERT in 2020 to assess the learning outcomes of students from Classes 3 to 10 in schools across India. The platform aims to provide comprehensive, objective, and reliable information on the knowledge and skills of students, teachers, and schools.