The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Educational Testing Service (ETS) to collaborate and strengthen PARAKH, an online platform for school assessments.
PARAKH, which stands for Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development, was launched by NCERT in 2020 to assess the learning outcomes of students from Classes III to X in schools across India. The platform aims to provide a comprehensive, objective, and reliable picture of the knowledge and skills of students, teachers, and schools.
The MoU between NCERT and ETS will bring in ETS’s expertise in designing, developing, and administering large-scale assessments globally, said a statement. ETS will support NCERT in enhancing the quality and validity of PARAKH assessments, developing test items, and conducting research on assessment methodologies. ETS will also assist NCERT in building capacity among teachers and school administrators for using PARAKH results to improve teaching and learning practices, added the statement.
Commenting on the collaboration, Professor Indrani Bhaduri, Head – PARAKH, NCERT, said,
We are pleased to collaborate with ETS, a globally renowned organization in assessments, to strengthen PARAKH. This partnership will help us in bringing international best practices in assessment design and administration to India and enhance the quality and relevance of PARAKH assessments.
Kadriye Ercikan, Vice President of Research and Measurement Sciences, ETS, said,
We are excited to partner with NCERT to support their mission of improving educational outcomes for all students. PARAKH is a promising initiative that has the potential to transform the assessment landscape in India, and we look forward to contributing to its success.
The collaboration between NCERT and ETS is expected to bring in new insights, innovations, and efficiencies in PARAKH assessments and contribute to the overall improvement of the quality of education in India.
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Education in India. Established in 1961, NCERT is responsible for developing curriculum frameworks, publishing textbooks, and creating learning resources for students, teachers, and parents across the country. NCERT’s vision is to provide inclusive and quality education to all learners through innovative pedagogies, relevant content, and equitable access to learning resources.
ETS serves learners, educators, and government agencies by providing measurement solutions and conducting research, analysis, and policy studies. ETS develops, administers, and scores tens of millions of tests annually — including the TOEFL® and TOEIC® tests, the GRE® tests, and The Praxis Series® assessments — in more than 200 countries, at over 9,000 locations worldwide.
