Final answer:
National exam results are released at different times depending on the exam; PISA results are released every three years with the U.S. showing consistent math and science performance and improving reading skills. Methods of result dissemination include online publications, direct school communication, and press releases.
Step-by-step explanation:
The release dates for results from national exams vary by country and the specific exam in question. For instance, results of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), which assesses 15-year-old students worldwide in reading, mathematics, and science, are typically released every three years, with the most recent data set published in 2019 indicating that U.S. students showed improvements in reading but remained consistent in math and science.
Additionally, in the United States, under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), states are required to submit their education plans, including testing and accountability measures, to the U.S. Department of Education for approval, the timetable for which can be affected by various factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
As for the method of releasing these results, it often includes online publication on the exam or educational body's official website, press releases, and sometimes direct communication to schools and participants.
For example, the American National Election Studies release their data through the University of Michigan's Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research.
And similarly, major educational policy changes like the ESSA result in the Department of Education announcing approved plans through official press statements and their website.