Webinar recap

With growing concerns about climate change and the increasing importance of education for sustainable development, this webinar is an incredible inspiration for the classroom and beyond. We heard from three experts of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) best known for its studies on maths, science, reading, civic and citizenship education, early childhood, and teacher education.

The International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS) conducted by the IEA is a comprehensive assessment aimed at 8th grade students, evaluating their knowledge and understanding of civics and citizenship. The study, conducted every seven years, collects trend data to address current real-world issues. ICCS not only assesses students’ knowledge but also gathers contextual data on various educational aspects, including curriculum organisation, teaching practices, and student attitudes.

Recent findings from ICCS 2022 indicate both positive and concerning trends. While civic knowledge increased from 2009 to 2016, it decreased between 2016 and 2022. Additionally, there’s more variation within countries than across them. Notably, higher civic knowledge is associated with factors like female gender, high socio-economic status, and non-immigrant backgrounds. Despite declining trust in institutions, students express strong support for gender equality, immigrant rights, and environmental protection.

To support teachers in leveraging this data, IEA has introduced Teacher Snippets, a series providing evidence-based strategies for classroom teaching. These snippets, including two dedicated to ICCS findings, offer practical guidance for creating open classroom climates and integrating environmental sustainability into education. The adaptability and translation of these resources ensure accessibility to teachers globally, fostering collaboration and innovation in civic and citizenship education.

Dr. Paulína Koršňáková, Senior Research and Liaison Adviser to IEA, facilitates research networking, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration that enhance capacity building and knowledge sharing to foster innovation and quality in education. She serves as a series editor for the IEA Research for Educators and IEA Teacher Snippets.

Dr. Valeria Damiani is an ICCS 2022 consortium member and Associate Professor at LUMSA University. She worked as a researcher for the second cycle of the IEA International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS) 2016 and was a member of the Joint Management Committee for ICCS 2022. Her research interests include civic and citizenship education, global citizenship education, education for sustainable development, and social inclusion.

Dr. Eva Klemenčič Mirazchiyski is head of the Centre for Applied Epistemology at the Educational Research Institute in Slovenia. She is the National Research Coordinator of several IEA international large-scale student assessments; one is ICCS. She edits and co-authors textbooks for compulsory subjects in Civic and Citizenship Education. Furthermore, Eva acts as a representative of Slovenia in the General Assembly of the IEA.