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PISA 2009 Ranking

Today, the OECD published the PISA 2009 ranking of 15 year olds (Report here).  This takes the scores of students across the nation and compares them to other countries.  The reason we are making a fuss about this in Canada is that our ranking are high.  Of course some of the data is less useful than other pieces.  As an example Shanghai dominates all three tested areas (Reading, math and Science), with a population of nearly 20 million, it is a fair comparison with Canada in terms of population, but not an accurate representation of China (which is probably correct) since Shanghai easily compares with any first world (maybe exceeds) capital city.


Before looking at Canada a few comments about the US (its ranking remains unchanged -- in reading the one tested for the past 10 years) over the observed 10 year period.  

  • America, in absolute term, has the most expensive schooling system, the US spends more per student then any other country observed (except for Luxembourg, go figure).  
  • America has the most educated parents
  • Disadvantaged student numbers are about the same for the US than for other countries tested
  • America has the 6th largest emigration population 
  • At the top end of the curve, Americans are better at reading, but poor at math and science
Canada, is a very different story.  In fact, its "Top 10" position is very new, in the 1980s and 1990s Canada was not considered highly in international ranking.  It some strange and quirky features:
  • The Canadian system is also internationally distinctive for its efforts to balance respect for diversity of language and religious affiliation with province-wide educational goals.
  • Canadian children are more likely to read "for pleasure" than in any other OECD country
  • Centralized testing only began in the 1980s,
  • Although province control education, standards across the country are very similar (Federal government has no role in the education system).
  • High success level with immigrants' children.
  • Spending on education has not changed (as a percentage of GDP) over the past decade.
All this indicated two things:  (1) Money is often not the solution, (2) the US federal education department could be abolished (assuming that the states take over).  One massive difference between Canada and the US (despite the Federal Education Department) is the wide gap in standards between states.  Moreover, the politicization of the education process in the US.

anyway, interesting stuff
 


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