Abstract

This study examines the potential advantages of regional assessments, such as ERCE 2019, in addressing challenges faced by larger international large scales assessments with heterogeneous populations. The paper investigates whether a regionally focused assessment, developed with the active involvement of all participating countries and targeting more homogeneous populations in terms of language, culture, and economic development, can result in better alignment between measurement instruments and participants' proficiency. Using construct mapping techniques and item response theory reliability indexes, the study aims to identify whether the measurement gaps observed in studies with more heterogeneous populations studies like TIMSS and PISA also exist in ERCE.