Research Projects

The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) is a new international adult literacy study commissioned by the OECD. The first administration took place in 2011, in 25 countries. The assessment is a household survey of adults between the ages of 16 and 65, linked with previous international adult literacy surveys (IALS and ALL). PIAAC assesses proficiency in literacy (reading), numeracy and problem-solving in a technology-rich environment. The assessments is computer-delivered in all three domains, though there are also paper-based components in literacy and numeracy. The international consortium that is managing the assessment on behalf of the OECD commissioned ACER to develop all of the new literacy tasks for PIAAC, drawing on both original development and on contributions from participating countries. In addition, Senior Research Fellow Dave Tout serves on the international numeracy expert group for the PIAAC, and previously served on the numeracy expert group for ALL.

The first administration of PIAAC took place in 2011, in 25 countries (including Australia).  Results from the study will be published in 2013.