Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) is a research study conducted under the auspices of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) that provides internationally comparative data about student reading achievement and associated factors. More than 50 countries all over the world are now involved in the PIRLS 2011 survey which, during the current school year is being conducted in their schools.

Andrea has been involved in PIRLS since 2004, and works as a researcher at the National Center for Language Education, the research centre that has been responsible for PIRLS in the Netherlands since 2001. The National Center for Language Education aims at improving the teaching and learning of Dutch language arts in schools. By undertaking research and development projects within the Netherlands, an attempt is made to discover and document those school conditions that encourage children to become skilled and motivated communicators and readers.

This visit by Andrea, offers both research centres the opportunity to share experiences and expertise on PIRLS coordination, testing and data analysis and to build relationships across countries who are involved in IEA studies. It also provides an opportunity to discuss recent research and developments in the areas of reading and the changing educational environment in both countries. During the visit, Andrea will undertake monitoring activities in a variety of urban, township and rural schools sampled for the PIRLS 2011 survey. She will also meet with researchers and students of the CEA to discuss activities and projects undertaken by the National Center for Language Education in the Netherlands as well as current PIRLS research involving secondary analyses.