The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) is an educational research project on children’s reading literacy achievement conducted in countries around the world. The first study was conducted in 35 countries during 2001. Now administered every five years, the study is designed to measure trends in the achievement of middle primary school students as well as providing countries with a snapshot of achievement at each cycle. The study involves New Zealand’s Year 5 students.

As well as assessing students, PIRLS also collects background information from the students, their parents/caregivers, their reading teachers, and from the principals of the schools at which they attend.

New Zealand is currently taking part in the second cycle of PIRLS, with the data collection for the main study completed in November 2005. Participating countries in the Northern Hemisphere completed their data collection in May-June 2006. Just over 40 countries and education systems around the world are participating in PIRLS-2005/2006.

PIRLS is conducted under the auspices of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA), which is an independent international co-operative of national research institutions and government agencies. The Ministry of Education’s Comparative Education Research Unit manages the implementation of the TIMSS studies in New Zealand.

For more information please refer to the PIRLS-2005/2006 and PIRLS-01 pages.

For further information on PIRLS you can visit the international PIRLS site maintained by Boston College: http://www.pirls.org/.

Latest Publications

The Ministry of Education has published an overview report and a summary brochure based on results from the 2005/2006 study. These reports are listed on the PIRLS publication home page.
Reading Literacy in New Zealand: An overview of New Zealand's results from the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2005/2006 This document provides an overview of the results from New Zealand's participation in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study 2005/2006. This study involved Year 5 students and was administered in New Zealand in November 2005. Author:  Megan Chamberlain Date published:  November 2007
PIRLS 2005/2006 – a summary of findings for New Zealand This publication summarises New Zealand's Year 5 student achievement in the 2005/2006 PIRLS assessment. Author:  Comparative Education Research Unit, Ministry of Education Date published:  November 2007

Contact Us

International Sites of Interest

	International PIRLS site maintained by Boston College
	International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement