Dr. Miyako Ikeda

Abstract
Are young people prepared to thrive—and eventually lead—in an increasingly complex and interconnected world? This presentation addresses this question by drawing on the latest findings from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), an international study of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of 15-year-old students across more than 90 countries and economies. Moving beyond a narrow focus on academic achievement, the presentation adopts a multidimensional perspective on student outcomes. It emphasises that successful learning involves the dynamic interplay of students’ skills, dispositions, and engagement with learning.

The presentation analyses students’ proficiency in key academic areas, including reading, science, and computational problem solving, alongside their engagement with learning. It explores dimensions such as curiosity, perseverance, motivation, and self-directed learning, which are increasingly recognised as essential for lifelong learning and adaptation in uncertain environments. Additional aspects of student well-being, including students’ sense of belonging at school and life satisfaction, are also examined.

By comparing results across countries and economies, the strengths and challenges of different education systems in fostering these diverse outcomes are highlighted. The presentation shows how multidimensional student outcomes are shaped by not only classroom practices and learning environments, but also by student relationships with peers, teachers, and families.

The presentation illuminates some key factors in how education systems can better support student learning across multiple dimensions, drawing implications for policy and practice aimed at promoting the broader competencies needed for future societies.

Bio
Miyako Ikeda is a Senior Analyst at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris. Since 2004, she has played a central role in shaping the analytical foundations of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), an assessment that evaluates the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of 15-year-old students across more than 90 countries and economies. Currently, Miyako leads and manages the core aspects of PISA. She oversees the design of analytical frameworks, data analysis, and the interpretation of results, as well as coordinating country engagement. Her work supports evidence-based policy dialogue by shedding light on how education systems perform in terms of quality, equity, and student outcomes.

Miyako holds undergraduate and master degrees from the University of Tokyo in education and social science. Her doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University, focused on assessment and international comparative analysis. Before joining the OECD, she held posts in the World Bank in Viet Nam and in UNESCO’s International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP). Miyako returned to New York to spend the 2014-15 academic year as a visiting scholar at Teachers College.