Average test score (as a percent of a perfect score) earned by students served by the organization during the reporting period.
Organizations should footnote all assumptions used, including which tests form the basis of this calculation.
This metric is intended to capture the average percent of total possible points students earned on tests during the reporting period. For example, if Student A earned 75/100 points and Student B earned 30/100 points, the Average Student Test Score for these two students would be 0.525, or 52.5%. Students who are not tested should not be included in this calculation.
In many cases, test-score data will be collected by schools (public or private) or another third party.
In educational contexts, Client Individuals: Total (PI4060) can refer to students. Organizations may also disaggregate this data by grade level as needed to understand underlying patterns.
In all contexts, tests should reflect learners' social, environmental, and learning norms and needs. Organizations are encouraged to footnote details regarding how and by whom tests have been developed and how they are fit to context.
Average Student Test Score (PI9024), combined with factors included in the "HOW is change happening?" section, gives a directional indicator of student learning outcomes. In some contexts, however, Student Transition Rate (PI4924)—which measures the number of students transitioning from one level of schooling to the next—may be a more appropriate outcome metric. In these cases, Student Transition Rate (PI4924) should be substituted for Average Student Test Score (PI9024) in the WHAT and HOW MUCH sections. For more details on calculation, see usage guidance for each specific metric in the catalog.
In some contexts, this metric can serve as an indicator of whether the outcome being sought by an investor or organization is occurring (the WHAT dimension of impact). For more on the alignment of IRIS metrics to the five dimensions of impact, see IRIS+ and the Five Dimensions. No single metric is sufficient to understand an impact; rather, metrics are selected as a set across all dimensions of impact. When possible, the selection of metrics to measure and describe the five dimensions should be based on best practice and evidence.
December 2019 - IRIS v5.1 Released
New metric. Average Student Test Score (PI9024) developed via IRIS+ Education Expert Subgroup.
IRIS Metrics Work Better in Sets
To use IRIS metrics—and the resulting data—to understand impact performance, IRIS metrics should be used and analyzed in generally accepted sets and according to well-defined objectives. IRIS+ gives you access to generally accepted Core Metrics Sets aligned to common Impact Themes and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).