The Educational Research Institute – National Research Institute (IBE PIB) is a Polish public research institution that studies education with a view to changing it. We do not merely describe the reality of schools – we examine what works, what needs improving, and how to implement effective changes based on scientific evidence rather than on intuition or passing trends.
We operate in accordance with three words that best reflect what we do: Knowledge. Action. Change.
We study learning and teaching processes at all stages of education – from pre-school through to secondary education and adult learning. We are responsible for conducting the most important international educational studies in Poland. We translate the results of these studies into specific recommendations for teachers, school directors, and decision-makers responsible for education policy.
At IBE PIB, we have introduced Standards for the Protection of Minors and a Gender Equality Plan.
What sets us apart? Evidence-based education
The Polish school system today faces many challenges: declining pupil performance in international assessments, a crisis in the well-being of children and young people, the digital revolution, and the question of how to wisely introduce artificial intelligence into the classroom. IBE PIB does not shy away from these issues – we investigate them.
Our work is based on reliable, empirical scientific research. We identify and promote effective teaching methods and tools – those that genuinely help pupils learn. We examine common beliefs and debunk myths – such as the one about learning styles, which has no scientific basis. Instead of guessing, we test.
IBE PIB uses one of the most reliable study methods – randomized controlled trials (RCTs) – the same methodology used in clinical trials of medicines. We randomly divide pupils into groups and test whether a particular teaching method, app, or intervention really works – and for whom, and under what conditions.
Research that matters
IBE PIB conducts three types of scientific research:
• International studies – we represent Poland in the world’s most important research projects. In Poland, we are responsible for studies such as PISA (assessment of 15-year-olds’ skills), TALIS (survey of teachers and school directors), TIMSS (achievement in mathematics and science), PIRLS (reading literacy), ICCS (civic competences), ICILS (digital competences), PIAAC (adult skills) and SSES (social and emotional competences). Thanks to these studies, we know how Polish education compares with that of other countries and the direction in which the results of children, youth, and adults are heading.
• National studies – we assess the state of the Polish education system. We examine pupils’ achievements, their competences and well-being, as well as the situation of teachers and working conditions in schools. The data we collect is provided to decision-makers and helps shape education policy.
• Other research projects – we conduct our own research projects using the most rigorous methods. One example is the study of the Zeszyt.online platform – Poland’s first randomized controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of an AI tool supporting mathematics learning, conducted on a group of over 17,600 4th grade pupils.
Reforma26. Compass for Tomorrow
IBE PIB is a key scientific and expert partner in the ongoing reform of the education system in Poland, implemented by the Ministry of National Education under the name ‘Reform26. Compass for Tomorrow’. Its aim is to create a school that is both supportive and challenging – a school that combines pupils’ knowledge, competences and agency.
Work on the reform began in March 2024. In September 2026, the new core curricula for preschools and primary schools (grades 1 and 4) will come into force, followed a year later by those for post-primary schools. A new 8th grade examination and a new matura exam (secondary school completion exam) are planned for 2031.
IBE PIB is involved in this reform at many levels: it is laying the scientific foundation for the new core curricula, developing the Graduate Profile (for all stages of education – from preschool to post-primary school) and proposing directions for change in three key areas: the curriculum, teaching methods and assessment.
How do we support teachers?
eachers are the most important variable in the educational equation. Research shows that in Poland, it does not matter which school a child attends – but what matters enormously is their teacher. IBE PIB takes this responsibility seriously.
• Guide to Educational Strategies – in collaboration with international partners, IBE PIB provides Polish teachers and school directors with a knowledge base on what really works in the classroom. Each strategy is assessed in terms of its effectiveness, implementation costs, and the strength of the scientific evidence about it.
• Assessment tools and lesson plans – IBE PIB provides schools with ready-to-use materials for assessing pupils’ competences, as well as tried-and-tested lesson plans that can be implemented immediately in the classroom. It also organises training courses and webinars on teaching methods, assessment, and digital competences – in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education.
Inclusive education
IBE PIB conducts many activities in support of inclusive education, which aims to ensure equal opportunities for all pupils – regardless of their needs, abilities, or experiences.
IBE PIB has also published catalogues of good practice, guides for school directors, publications on ADHD in the classroom, mathematics anxiety and well-being at school, as well as tools for metacognitive assessment, identifying mathematical aptitude, and the multifaceted measurement of pupils’ well-being.
• The ‘Accessible School for All’ (ASA) project – implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education and UNICEF, the project provided direct support to over 102,000 children, 22,000 teachers and 32,000 parents in 865 schools and preschools across Poland. Thanks to this project, there are now 1,906 Learning Accessibility Advisers (DDU) – specialists who support schools on a daily basis in implementing an approach that is available to all pupils.
The Institute also conducts research and training to support the integration of pupils with a migrant background – particularly children from Ukraine – and operates the ‘Career Without Barriers’ project, which helps pupils with diverse educational needs to enter the labour market.
The Digitalisation of Education
The IBE PIB plays an active role in implementing the Digital Transformation of Education Policy. Our mission is to prepare young people for life in a technology-dominated world – but we approach this task with caution and on the basis of hard data.
We investigate the impact of digital technologies on pupils’ educational outcomes and social relationships. We monitor the implementation of regulations concerning smartphones in Polish schools. We assess the digital competences of pupils, teachers, and parents. We support the responsible introduction of AI into schools, while also assessing teachers’ readiness to use these tools.
We are also developing Microcredentials – new forms of documenting skills that allow children, youth, and adults to validate what they have learned outside traditional certification pathways.
Lifelong learning
IBE PIB is the administrator of the Integrated Qualifications System (IQS) – Poland’s largest public database containing nearly 20,000 school, higher education, and vocational qualifications. Through the kwalifikacje.gov.pl portal and the ZeteRKa chatbot, we support residents, employers, and training institutions in navigating the Polish qualifications system.
IBE PIB has also developed 21 Sectoral Qualifications Frameworks (SQFs) for a broad range of business sectors such as IT, tourism, construction and the food processing industry – tools that help organise competences and support recruitment, assessment, and training in HR departments.
How do we share our knowledge?
The results of the research we conduct do not simply end up in academic archives. IBE PIB actively translates them into practice.
We publish reports on national and international research, analyses for public policy, methods guides, and step-by-step handbooks for teachers and school directors. We organise conferences, workshops, and webinars – both for specialists and for the wider public interested in education.
Since 1982, we have been publishing the quarterly scientific journal EDUKACJA (ISSN: 0239-6858, e-ISSN: 2449-8998). Between 2002 and 2023, we also published the scientific journal ‘Biology and Environmental Education’ [Edukacja Biologiczna i Środowiskowa (EBiŚ)]. We pursue an intensive publishing policy and all our publications are collected in IBE PIB's digital library.
IBE PIB in figures
The scale of IBE PIB’s activities speaks for itself:
• over 102,000 children supported through the ‘Accessible School for All’ project
• 865 schools and preschools participating in the ASA project
• 22,121 teachers trained in inclusive education
• 1,800 people trained under the Power of Relationships in Education programme
• 991 participants in regional workshops as part of educational reform
• 17,600 pupils covered by the RCT study of the Zeszyt.online platform
• 20,000 qualifications in the Integrated Qualifications Register
• 21 Sectoral Qualifications Frameworks for the Polish economy
• 8 international educational studies coordinated in Poland
Who do we serve?
IBE PIB directs its activities towards a wide audience. To teachers and school directors – by providing tools, training and proven teaching strategies. To decision-makers and education policymakers – by offering reliable data and research-based recommendations. To parents – by helping them understand how their child really learns and what challenges school presents for them. To researchers and academics – by making data available and publishing the results of original research. To employers and training institutions – through our qualifications system and HR tools.
We are a public institution – which means that our knowledge is available free of charge to anyone who wishes to make better decisions in the field of education.
Our partners include the world's leading educational organisations:
■ OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)
■ IEA (International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement)
■ UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund)
■ CEDEFOP
In Poland, we work with the Ministry of National Education, CIE, CKE and ORE.
Visit us
You can find out more about our projects, publications and news on our website. Follow us on social media – Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and X – where we regularly share research findings in an accessible format.