20 Feb 07

Pearson and the University of Oxford announce the establishment of a long-term collaboration to undertake research and international development work in educational assessment. The collaboration will bring together research expertise in the University's highly acclaimed Department of Education, previously known as the Department of Educational Studies, with Pearson's international expertise in educational assessment.

In an initial 10-year relationship with the University of Oxford, Pearson will fund and support the establishment of a new international research centre and a Pearson Professor of Educational Assessment at the new centre, to be called the Oxford University Centre of Educational Assessment, as well as two doctoral studentships and administrative support. The new research centre will be formally launched in autumn 2007.

The research at Oxford will look at new approaches to educational assessment to help improve the understanding of different types of learning processes and outcomes. It will examine the opportunities offered by recent advances in learning and assessment technologies and the challenges presented by the increasing requirement for global qualifications and standards. The wide-ranging research programme covers general school-based learning, as well as vocational, professional and higher education and support the move to life long learning, the needs of multi-national employers and an increasingly global workforce.

The University and Pearson will also join forces in undertaking research and development projects for international governments and development agencies.

Marjorie Scardino, chief executive of Pearson plc, said: 'In this global economy, there is a growing demand from educational institutions, companies and individuals for rigorous, internationally comparable assessments and qualifications as well as testing to promote learning. This exciting collaboration with Oxford University will underpin our educational assessment programmes with high quality research and thinking, and allow us to better help governments, educators and students learn and compete.'

Dr John Hood, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, said: 'We are delighted to be working in collaboration with Pearson. The agreement gives us an exciting and timely opportunity, as education becomes increasingly global, to lead research that will help improve learning and assessment systems in the UK and around the world.'

Professor John Furlong, the Director of the University's Department of Education, said: 'This exciting development will build on and extend our existing research capacity in new and important ways. Understanding more about educational assessment is increasingly recognized as a key factor in promoting effective teaching and learning right across the educational system.'