Glossary
Below you will find the definitions of some of the terms used throughout the course.
CIMA: Information Center on Educational Progress (CIMA, by its Spanish acronym). This is a website with comparative educational statistics for Latin America and the Caribbean. https://cima.iadb.org/en
CLASS: The acronym for “Classroom Assessment Scoring System.” This is an observational tool for in-class evaluations based on children’s interactions with their peers and teachers.
Competences/Competency Models: The competences model is based on acquiring the skills and knowledge necessary to perform a task. Within the context of educational systems, it is considered to be the paradigm for setting standards and knowledge goals for students.
Regression Discontinuity Design: The regression discontinuity model is used in econometrics and statistics to evaluate the effects of an intervention. It focuses on comparing the effects before and after an intervention or specific treatment.
ENGLE Scale: A child development measurement tool used by PRIDI to evaluate cognitive, language and motor skills.
Quasi-experimental Design: A method that attempts to test causality without random assignment.
Harmonized Indicator: A process that aims to create a common ground on how data is managed, to facilitate the interpretation and comparison of figures across jurisdictions.
Sustainable Development Goals: A set of global goals, agreed upon by United Nations member countries, that aim to eradicate poverty, protect the planet and guarantee prosperity. The goals have targets that should be met before 2030.
OECD: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
One Laptop per Child: A non-profit organization that provides portable computers to students in developing nations.
PRIDI: The Regional Project on Child Development Indicators (PRIDI, by its Spanish acronym) is an initiative by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Its goal is to create a regional program for the collection and use of data and comparable performance indicators on child development.
PISA: Program for International Student Assessment.
TERCE: Third Regional Comparative and Explanatory Study (TERCE, by its Spanish acronym).
TIMSS: The acronym for Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study.