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Achievement of 15 Year Olds: Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2009 National Report

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Achievement of 15 Year Olds: Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2009 National Report

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a survey of the educational achievement in Reading, Mathematics and Science of 15 year olds organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

PISA is carried out on a three year cycle. The first PISA study was in 2000; Wales participated for the first time in 2006. In 2009, results were submitted by 132 schools and over 3,000 pupils in Wales. A total of 65 countries were involved in the study, including 33 OECD member countries.

The key points from the latest report are:

Reading

  • The mean score attained by pupils in Wales was 476, significantly below the OECD average mean score of 493. The Welsh mean score was 481 in 2006.
  • The Welsh score ranked 38th internationally (when the component parts of the UK are identified separately), compared to 30th in 2006.

Mathematics

  • The mean score attained by pupils in Wales was 472, significantly below the OECD average mean score of 496. The Welsh mean score was 484 in 2006.
  • The Welsh score ranked 40th internationally (when the component parts of the UK are identified separately), compared to 34th in 2006.

Science

  • The mean score attained by pupils in Wales was 496, similar to the OECD average mean score of 501. The Welsh mean score was 505 in 2006.
  • The Welsh score ranked 30th internationally (when the component parts of the UK are identified separately), compared to 22nd in 2006.

Gender differences

  • Boys outperformed girls in Mathematics and Science, but not in Reading.

The PISA 2009 report for Wales is available on the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) website.

The PISA 2009 international report, and additional information, can be found on the OECD website.

Further information

National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) website.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)website.

Contact

Tel: 029 2082 5968
E-mail: school.stats@wales.gsi.gov.uk

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