Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is the most prominent global assessment to compare primarily Math, Science and Reading scores across nations. Academically speaking it is a clear indicator to whether children are being prepared for the 21st century.
The latest results show globally that Math and Reading scores are declining. This is mirrored in the USA, albeit not as dramatically as the global pattern. The obvious answer here is the impact of COVID-19 on education but on the whole scores have been declining for two decades.
What is more key here is that the Math scores were among the lowest ever recorded by PISA for the USA (launched in 1997). Against comparable nations the Math results look equally poor even when compared on a socio-economic level.
However, what I can report from an ADS perspective is that our Math scores have seen year on year growth since we started collecting data and continue to be on an upward trajectory as we come to the end of our second standardized testing cycle of the year. Those of you at the open house event in November will remember the gasps in the room when I announced “a private education here will give you two years of advancement versus the public sector.” The data certainly shows that to be true.
Reading scores across the USA also declined but not as sevely as Math. One hypothesis for this is that technology use at home is distracting students. A total of 45% of students said they feel anxious if their phone is not near them and 65% of students said they use their phone in class. Hence, we do not allow the use of phones in school without specific permission, and even this is rare. Again, ADS bucks this trend with year-on-year growth. Our emphasis on reading is only growing as we continue to strongly promote reading.
Perhaps starker than all of this is that 13% of children in the USA were reported as food insecure (compared to an OECD average of 8%), 22% reported being lonely (OECD average 16%) and 13% reported feeling unsafe at school (OECD average 10%). I am proud that our small school community allows for an intimate community where every student is known and can flourish within their friendship groups. At the same time our added security provision this year can only be seen as essential (yet another school shooting in Iowa in the past week).
As a school focused on Christ, Children and Community this all highlights the need to continue to develop and grow our support in the local community. Hence, we have launched monthly action projects this year to raise money or collect items for charity, for example our book drive, the socktober event and Toys for Tots.
If you’d like to look into PISA in more detail check out the link here.