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Reading Literacy Study 1991

The aim of the Reading Literacy Study (RLS91) were to produce valid international tests and questionnaires that could be used to investigate reading literacy and its correlates across countries.

Study background and aims

Beside the overall aim to produce valid international tests and questionnaires that could be used to investigate reading literacyto describe the achievement levels in reading literacy in participating educational systems, the purposes was to describe the voluntary reading activities of nine- and 14-year-olds - to identify differences in policies and instructional practices in reading and their relation to students’ achievement and voluntary reading - to provide national baseline data for monitoring literacy levels over time. The data were collected in 1990–1991.

Target Population

Two populations were included in the study: nine-year-old students and 14-year-old students.

Participating Educational Systems

Belgium (French), Botswana, Canada (British Columbia), Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany (FRG), Germany (GDR), Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, United States, Venezuela, Zimbabwe.
Link to IEA website

Data and population for the Reading Literacy Study 1970

Belgium (French)

Botswana

Data from Botswana. Population B. Student (SPSS-files in zip-archive)

Canada (British Columbia)

Cyprus

Denmark

Finland

France

Germany (FRG and GDR)

Greece

Hongkong

Hungary

Iceland

Indonesia

Data from Indonesia. Population A. School and Student (SPSS-files in zip archive)

Ireland

Italy

Netherlands

New Zealand

Nigeria

Data from Nigeria. Population B. Student (SPSS-files in zip archive)

Norway

Philippines

Data from Philippines. Population B. School and Student (SPSS-files in zip archive)

Portugal

Singapore

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Thailand

Data from Thailand. Population B. School and Student (SPSS-files in zip archive)

Trinidad & Tobago

USA

Venezuela

Zimbabwe

Data from Zimbabwe. Population B. School and Student (SPSS-files in zip archive)

Swedish extensions

As in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study in 2001, the Swedish executive board decided to supplement the international study schedule. Several items from former studies (as from the Reading Comprehension Study in 1970) were added as separate booklets. Here you find the resulting datasets from 1991.

Swedish Extension - Reading Literacy Study 1991. (SPSS-files in zip archive)