Learning outcomes evaluations

Pre-primary, primary and lower secondary education

FINEEC evaluates the attainment of learning goals related to the objectives of pre-primary, primary and lower secondary education core curricula. The Finnish National Board of Education launched national learning result evaluations in 1998 and the activities related to them have been transferred to FINEEC.

Recent evaluation results

The infographics below show a compilation of results of learning outcomes evaluations for the academic year 2020–2021. In addition to the subject-specific results, the infographics briefly explain the reasons behind possible differences in competence.

Learning outcomes evaluations 2014–2015

Learning outcomes are evaluated based on sampling so that they can be extrapolated to apply to the entire age group in pre-primary, primary and lower secondary education. Approximately 5–10% of the pupils in the age group to be evaluated will participate in the evaluation. The sample of schools providing education in Swedish is larger to improve comparability. The sample may also be larger in some syllabuses.

The learning outcomes evaluation is based on objectives defined in the pre-primary, primary and lower secondary education core curricula. The evaluation exercises are first tested at schools outside the sample and after teacher feedback and section analysis, the exercises that are most reliable and capable of discrimination are selected for the actual evaluation. Sample schools and education providers receive feedback on the results proportioned with the national average.

In conjunction with the learning result evaluation, information will be collected from principals, teachers and pupils, for example, on working methods and teaching arrangements, educational resources, student evaluation and study attitudes of the pupils.

The evaluation of study attitudes uses an established indicator to study the pupils’ views on themselves as learners of a subject or syllabus, on the attractiveness of a subject or syllabus, as well as on the usefulness of studying a certain subject or syllabus.

A report will be drawn up on the key results of the evaluation. In addition a summary will be drawn up for the needs of the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Finnish National Agency for Education, Departments of Teacher Education, education providers, schools, teachers and other bodies.