Commentary on Sections International comparison surveys Section 20: Requirement for schools to participate in international surveys
126.Section 20 inserts new section 538A into Chapter 4 of Part 9 of EA 1996. It enables the Secretary of State to secure the participation of community, voluntary and foundation schools, in England, in international education surveys.
127.England takes part in a number of international comparison surveys which generate comparative data on pupil performance, attitudes to learning and the education environment, such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). This section is intended to ensure that sampled schools participate in specified surveys.