PISA+: A research project to pursue problematic PISA findings in the Norwegian context

Abstract

PISA + is a research project on learning and teaching strategies in schools. (+: Prosjekt om Lærings- og Undervisnings-Strategier i Skolen). Both mathematics and reading are included in addition to science. It is a qualitative, in-depth study, which tries to scrutinize and understand the results from the past PISA studies (Programme for International Student Assessment) (Kjaernsli, Lie, Olsen, Roe & Turmo 2004; Lie, Kjarnsli, Roe & Turmo 2001) and evaluation studies of Norwegian schools (Klette, 2003; Schmidt et al. 1996). It is based on sociocultural principles from theorists such as Vygotsky (1934) and Bakhtin (1981). The methodology is infl uenced by the Norwegian evaluation study of Reform 97 (Klette, 2003), and the international project The Learner’s Perspective Study (Clarke, 2002). PISA+ is partly associated with LPS. Hopefully our results may offer some knowledge valuable for improving learning in schools.