Scribd
Upload
75 views

EDUC5440 Week 6 Written Assignment Unit 6

This document discusses the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), an international study that evaluates education systems by testing 15-year-old students in key subjects every three years. PISA has impacted China both positively and negatively. Positively, it has motivated schools to improve by identifying weaknesses, and provided data to support struggling students. However, it has also increased reliance on testing, shifted focus from less measurable skills, and harmed student well-being through high-stress testing. In conclusion, while PISA data can inform policy, some argue it is too rigid and places too much demand on students and teachers.

Uploaded by

Leisa Gordon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
75 views

EDUC5440 Week 6 Written Assignment Unit 6

This document discusses the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), an international study that evaluates education systems by testing 15-year-old students in key subjects every three years. PISA has impacted China both positively and negatively. Positively, it has motivated schools to improve by identifying weaknesses, and provided data to support struggling students. However, it has also increased reliance on testing, shifted focus from less measurable skills, and harmed student well-being through high-stress testing. In conclusion, while PISA data can inform policy, some argue it is too rigid and places too much demand on students and teachers.

Uploaded by

Leisa Gordon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Department of Education, University of the People

EDUC 5440 - Assessment and Evaluation

Dr. Grant Gerald

Oct 9, 2022

1
Introduction

PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) is an international study that began in

2000. The aim is to evaluate the education systems worldwide by identifying the skills and

knowledge of 15-year-old students in participating countries/economies. Over 70 countries and

economies have participated in PISA. Every three years, a random group of fifteen-year-old

students is required to take tests in key subjects such as Reading, Mathematics, and Science with

a focus on one subject in each year of assessment. In 2000, the focus was on reading, in 2003,

Mathematics, in 2006 Science then Reading again in 2009. The students and school principals

are required to fill out background questionnaires in order to provide information about the

students' family backgrounds and the way the schools are organized. Some countries/economies

require parents to also fill in a questionnaire as well. (OECD, n.d.).

PISA is unique because it develops tests that are not directly connected to the school curriculum

and provides context through the background questionnaires which can enable analysts to

interpret the results. The tests are constructed to assess how well students can apply their

knowledge to real-life situations and can therefore fully participate in society at the end of

compulsory education. The data also provides governments with a powerful tool to shape their

policy-making. (OECD, n.d.). PISA has been impacting China both positively and negatively.

How Has PISA Impacted the Country Positively

PISA is an instrument used globally to evaluate countries based on the levels of academic

achievements of students in Mathematics, Science, and Reading. The tests are administered

every three years and once the results are released several policy decisions within participating

2
countries are automatically influenced. In China, the PISA results have impacted the country in

many ways as outlined by Tan (2019):

● Schools are able to see how their students are performing in comparison to other schools

around the world. This can assist in motivating teachers and administrators to put more

effort into improving their teaching strategies so that they can help students to achieve

higher scores in future PISA tests.

● A baseline for comparison is determined. For example, if a school received a low rating

on PISA tests, the government can use the data to determine the areas that are in need of

improvement and the strategies to be taken in order to improve those areas.

● Students who need additional support are identified and the government can allocate

resources to provide the support.

● The economy is also positively impacted by PISA results because a country with more

educated people will have more opportunities for businesses thus providing more jobs in

the future.

How Has PISA Impacted the Country Negatively

The PISA results have had several negative impacts on the country as outlined by The Guardian

(2014).

● There is an increased reliance on quantitative measures.

3
● Attention is taken away from the less measurable or immeasurable educational objectives

such as physical, moral, civic, and artistic development, thereby changing the purpose of

education.

● The results indicate that students are not learning the skills they need to apply to the real

world. For example, some students do not understand how to apply their knowledge and

skills to real-world problems (OECD, 2016).

● PISA harms the children and impoverishes the classrooms, as it involves more and

longer batteries of multiple-choice testing, more scripted "vendor"-made lessons, and

teachers have less autonomy. In this way. This has resulted in high-stress levels in

schools, which endangers the well-being of students and teachers. (Zhang & Akbik

(2012).

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is evident that PISA can affect a country both positively and negatively. “The

OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) examines not just what students

know in science, reading and mathematics, but what they can do with what they know. Results

from PISA show educators and policymakers the quality and equity of learning outcomes

achieved elsewhere, and allow them to learn from the policies and practices applied in other

countries.” (OECD, 2016). However, some people believe that tests are too rigid and place too

much demand on students and teachers and that students are not learning lifelong skills. OECD

should, therefore, rethink the rating of countries due to inequality in education systems..

4
References

OECD, (n.d.). About PISA. https://www.oecd.org/pisa/aboutpisa.htm

OECD, (2016). PISA 2015 Results (Volume I). Excellence and Equity in Education.
https://www.oecd.org/education/pisa-2015-results-volume-i-9789264266490-en.htm

The Guardian, (2014). OECD And PISA Tests Are Damaging Education Worldwide-
Academics. https://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/may/06/oecd-pisa-tests-damaging-
education-academics

Tan, C. (2019). PISA and Education Reform in Shanghai. Critical Studies in Education, 60(3),
391-406. https://doi.org/10.1080/17508487.2017.1285336

Zhang, C., Akbik, A. (2012). PISA as a legitimacy tool during China's education reform: Case
Study of Shanghai. https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/64810/1/727146068.pdf

You might also like