Abstract

Educational effectiveness is a multifaceted concept that extends beyond test scores and includes a wide range of student outcomes. Understanding its diverse nature requires a systematic perspective on how learning is measured, how results are evaluated, and how evidence can be used to support improvement across educational layers.

This keynote is structured around the triad of measurement, evaluation, and support of educational success. From a measurement perspective, international large-scale assessments such as PISA have broadened the scope of what counts as success in education, capturing not only cognitive skills but also well-being, motivation, and other dimensions of learning. From an evaluation perspective, these studies provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of educational systems and policies, while also highlighting persistent inequities and contextual challenges. From a support perspective, large-scale assessments can inform reforms and interventions, offering evidence that helps policymakers and practitioners improve teaching and learning but are also faced with challenges when deriving meaningful insights for teachers and schools.

Looking ahead, the future of educational effectiveness research lies in balancing potential and limitation: advancing new approaches to measurement, ensuring fair and meaningful evaluation, and strengthening the supportive role of assessments in building more effective and equitable education systems.

Prof. Dr. Samuel Greiff is Professor of Educational Monitoring & Effectiveness at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). At TUM, he leads the Centre for International Student Assessment (ZIB) and oversees the national implementation of the PISA study. Before joining TUM, he headed the “Educational Psychology & Artificial Intelligence” unit at Goethe-University Frankfurt and, prior to this, directed the “Cognition, Learning, & Educational Assessment” research group at the University of Luxembourg.