DataTalk: A Conversation about Measuring Learning in India

NCAER’s National Data Innovation Center hosted the 7^th edition of DataTalk. The conversation delved into the complexities of measuring children’s learning outcomes in India. With school enrollment rates having increased, the focus had shifted from merely getting children into schools to understanding what they were learning. However, this brought forth a challenging question: How do we accurately assess these learning outcomes?

The panel included experts from diverse backgrounds, including Akashi Kaul from the Central Square Foundation, Sridhar Rajgopalan, an Educational Entrepreneur, Abhijit Singh from the Stockholm School of Economics, and Wilima Wadhwa, the director of the ASER Centre. They discussed different methodologies, from school-based assessments like the National Achievement Survey to citizen-led evaluations such as the ASER Report, highlighting the importance of using data effectively to influence educational practice and policy.

During the discussion, we explored various approaches to educational assessments, the biases and challenges associated with them, and their implications for policy-making. The session aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current state of educational assessments in India and how they could be improved to ensure all children receive quality education.