NettWORKING Volume 10 Number 11

On Pisa and Pensions

When Kanye West asks the question “Can we get much higher?”, I doubt whether he has ranking international educational systems in mind. However, if we imagine for the moment that is his subject, the answer for us in Canada, especially in Ontario, would have to be “No, not very much.” And the reason would be that, notwithstanding the perennial teachers’ “could do better” comment on our students, we are close to the top of the international rankings in all three categories of math, science and reading.

Before I go further, a disclaimer is in order. The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), a world-wide evaluation of 15 year old students’ achievement, is a standardized test, so debate rages in academic circles about what is actually being tested. For example . . .

To read more of Martin's message, articles and view photos in this issue of Nettworking click on the attachment below.