Blog 4: Program for International Student Assessment (PISA)

Jordan Rolph

February 8, 2011

5:25 p.m.

The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) is designed to survey education systems around the world about every three years. The PISA conducted a series of standardized tests that weighs reading comprehension, mathematics, and science which is given to half a million 15-year-old in 65 countries. The survey found that teenagers in Shanghai are the best-educated in the world. That has made officials all over the world question how they run their education system and what they need to change and improve. US and European officials acknowledged that the Shanghai scores are not a representation of all of China, but upended some preconceptions about schooling. “Two countries with similar levels of prosperity can produce very different results,” Angel Gurria, the O.E.C.D. secretary general, said in a statement. “This shows that an image of a world divided neatly into rich and well-educated countries and poor and badly educated countries is now out of date.” In Britain, results showed students falling behind. Britain will now administer tests used by China and South Korea. Many officials will agree that the regions and countries that are behind need to look at the best-performing countries and learn from them. Everyone needs to emphasize higher standards all at the same time. Germany has improved its status from horrendous to average, but criticism still remains. In France, they have had a hard time improving their top achievers and the number of struggling students has increased. The PISA is an exam which tests on understanding concepts not just rote learning. British official has warned that efforts to model British schools after Eastern models would face significant cultural barriers due to the differences of the regions and countries. Though, another study has shown that the best school systems are ones that are most equitable regardless of social background.

I found the PISA program to be an interesting study. I think looking at other countries and keeping up with what they are doing is important. If another country is advancing it will only further others knowledge and education. I find what Angel Gurria says fascinating because he brings the whole idea of sociological problems into education in that short statement. Gurria makes the point that the split in wealthy people and poor people should not affect their education status and is starting not to such as it did in the past. With the help of governments and people with money, education is growing all over the world. We need tests and studies like PISA to keep officials updated on current developments in education and how students around the world are doing.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/09/world/europe/09education.html?ref=france