Institut für Schulqualität der Länder Berlin und Brandenburg e.V. (ISQ)

The Institut für Schulqualität der Länder Berlin und Brandenburg (ISQ) is a scientific service provider that has been developing the quality of education in the joint education region of Berlin-Brandenburg since its founding in early 2006 by the states of Berlin and Brandenburg.

The ISQ offers a wide range of services aimed at supporting schools, school administrations, and education policy in both states. The main activities include:

• Diagnostic Tests and Examination and Comparison Work: The ISQ develops and conducts diagnostic tests and examination work to assess and compare student performance.
• Support for Internal and External Evaluation of Schools: The institute supports schools in self-evaluation and external evaluation to improve their quality and effectiveness.
• Coordination of International, National, and Regional School Performance Studies: The ISQ coordinates and conducts various school performance studies to collect and analyze comparable data.
• Implementation of KMK Educational Standards: The institute implements the educational standards adopted by the Conference of Ministers of Education (KMK) to ensure a uniform quality of education.
• Educational Reporting and Research: The ISQ regularly produces educational reports and conducts research projects to analyze and document current trends and challenges in education.

The main mission of the ISQ is to improve the quality of education in Berlin and Brandenburg through scientific advice and support. The institute is located at the Free University of Berlin as an independent scientific institution and works closely with the Department of Educational Science and Psychology.

The mission statement of the ISQ, adopted in May 2024, defines the values and principles that shape the work of the institute. It emphasizes the importance of participatory processes, best practices, and future-oriented goals. The mission statement serves as a guide for all activities and decisions of the institute and reflects the shared understanding of all employees.

The ISQ is committed to basing its work on data-driven decisions to promote sustainable and effective quality development in education. Through the regular conduct of school performance studies and the analysis of educational data, the institute contributes to ensuring that education policy and school practice are based on sound findings.

Additionally, the ISQ develops various tools and portals, such as the Self-Evaluation Portal (SEP), to support teachers, school leaders, and education administration in their daily work. These tools are designed to facilitate self-evaluation in schools and improve the quality of teaching.

The ISQ is supported by a non-profit association, which includes the state of Berlin, the state of Brandenburg, the Free University of Berlin, the University of Potsdam, as well as representatives of the State School Council and the business associations in Berlin and Brandenburg. The funding of the institute is secured through grants from the states of Berlin and Brandenburg.

The scientific quality of the work of the ISQ is supported by a scientific advisory board, which consists of representatives from Berlin universities, the University of Potsdam, the Institute for Quality Development in Education (IQB), the German Institute for International Educational Research (DIPF), and the German School Academy. This advisory board ensures that the research and services of the ISQ are conducted at the highest scientific level.

• 1 - https://www.isq-bb.de/wordpress/das_isq/
• 2 - https://www.dji.de/fileadmin/user_upload/bibs2014/Expertise_Sprachstandserhebung_Lisker_2013.pdf
• 3 - https://psyndex.de/pub/tests/verz_teil2.pdf
• 4 - https://www.bildungsserver.de/institution.html?institutionen_id=9586
• 5 - https://www.isq-bb.de/wordpress/