Statistical Terms Glossary

This method used for the compilation of construction price indices entails the selection of a representative sample of construction projects either taking place, or completed, in a given geographic area, over a specified period of time. The cost of each technical component (derived from blueprints, work specifications, etc.) of a given construction in the sample is priced as at the base reference date. This involves the use of a schedule of prices containing the price of each component of the construction at the base period date.

A commercial air service operated according to a published timetable, or with such a regular frequency that it constitutes an easily recognizable systematic series of flights.

Passenger road vehicle activities scheduled and performed according to a published timetable, or so regular and frequent as to constitute a recognizably systematic series.

Debt service that follows a set schedule.

A service provided by sea vessels scheduled and performed according to a published timetable, or so regular or frequent as to constitute a recognisably systematic series.

Traffic provided by sea vessels scheduled and performed according to a published timetable, or so regular or frequent as to constitute a recognisably systematic series.

A scheme is a distinct body of rules, supported by one or more institutional units governing the provision of social protection benefits and their financing. Schemes are not themselves institutional units, one institution may administer more than one scheme.

Students' examination results or test performance. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with educational quality when describing the evolution of the educational system or when comparing the situation of school or group of schools.

Is defined as regular attendance at any regular accredited educational institution or programme, public or private, for organized learning at any level of education at the time of the census or, if the census is taken during the vacation period, at the end of the school year or during the last school year.

School expectancy is the average duration of formal education in which a five-year-old child can expect to enrol over his or her lifetime. It is calculated by adding the net enrolment percentages for each single year of age from the age of five onwards.

School level administrative personnel includes all personnel who support the administration and management of the school. This staff includes receptionists, secretaries, typists and word processors, bookkeepers and clerks, photocopying assistants, etc

School level management includes professional personnel who are responsible for school management / administration. It includes principals, assistant principals, headmasters, assistant headmasters, and other management staff with similar responsibilities. It does not include however receptionists, secretaries, clerks, and other staff who support the administrative activities of the school

Number of years a person of school entrance age can expect to spend within the specified level of education.

In PISA, school location refers to the community in which the school is located, such as a village, hamlet or rural area (fewer than 3 000 people), a small town (3 000 to about 15 000 people), a town (15 000 to about 100 000 people), a city (100 000 to about 1 000 000 people), close to the centre of a city with over 1 000 000 people or elsewhere in a city with over 1 000 000 people.

Educational activities taking place in institutions established for the education of children and youth in the course of initial education programmes which aim to achieve specific learning objectives through classroom instruction including courses in specialised learning environments (e.g. laboratory, music room, computer room or gym) and group work under the guidance of a teacher or teachers. Students are often grouped by grade, age or level of ability.

Population of the age group theoretically corresponding to a given level of education as indicated by theoretical entrance age and duration.

In school-based (vocational and technical) programmes, instruction takes place (either partly or exclusively) in educational institutions. This includes special training centres for vocational education run by public or private authorities or enterprise-based special training centres if these qualify as educational institutions. These programmes can have an on-the-job training component, i.e., a component of some practical experience in the workplace.

Children with disabilities attend regular classes with age-appropriate peers, learn the curriculum to the extent feasible, and are provided with additional resources and support depending on need.

Schools that provide separate classes and additional resources for children with disabilities, which are attached to mainstream schools.

Schools that provide highly specialized services for children with disabilities and remain separate from broader educational institutions; also called segregated schools.

Is a term of art used to encompass the relationship between science and technology. It frequently appears within titles of academic disciplines (science and technology studies) and government offices.

Including new scientific and communications infrastructure, centres of research excellence, programs to assist business to become more innovative and projects to maintain and build a skilled and creative labour force.