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PISA operates on a 3-year cycle, with 2000 the first year. Each PISA assessment cycle focuses on one subject in particular, although all 3 subjects are assessed every 3 years. In the first cycle, PISA 2000, reading literacy was the major focus, occupying roughly two-thirds of assessment time. Mathematics literacy was the focus in PISA 2003 and science literacy was the focus in PISA 2006. In 2009, PISA will rotate back to focusing on reading literacy.
The intent of PISA reporting is to provide an overall description of performance in reading literacy, mathematics literacy, and science literacy every three years, and to provide a more detailed look at each domain in the year when it is the major focus. These cycles will allow countries to compare changes in trends for each of the three subject areas over time.
To implement PISA, each of the participating countries selects a nationally representative sample of 15-year-olds, regardless of grade level. In the United States, nearly 4,000 students from public and private schools took the PISA 2000 assessment. 5,456 U.S. students participated in PISA 2003, and 5,611 U.S. students participated in PISA 2006.
In each country, the assessment is translated into the primary language of instruction; in the United States, all materials are written in English.
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