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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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VICTORIA – British Columbia students are among the best in the world in math, reading and science, according to the latest international student tests, Education Minister Tom Christensen announced today.
“Our students, parents and teachers are working extremely hard, and it shows when you look at these results,” said Christensen. “No one outperformed B.C. in math and reading – and only Finland and Japan did better in science. It’s clear that students in British Columbia are receiving an education that is truly world-class.”
Results from the 2003 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) were released today by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Fifteen-year-olds in 41 countries and 10 Canadian provinces participated, including a random sample of nearly 3,000 students from British Columbia.
Every three years, the OECD tests students in math, reading and science. In 2003, B.C. students were in the top-performing group for math, an improvement from the 2000 assessment when four provinces or countries were in a group above British Columbia.
B.C. students were also in the top-performing group in reading, as they were in 2000. In science, two countries performed above B.C.’s range last year. In 2000, only one country outperformed B.C.
“We know from our own assessments that B.C. students are doing better in school,” said Christensen. “These international tests confirm that our students are also among the best in the world. This is what happens when everyone works together to improve student achievement. The new graduation program will help B.C. students do even better by making education more relevant to their interests and goals.”
The new graduation program provides more opportunities and flexibility for students while raising standards. Students may choose from a greater number of courses that count toward graduation. At the same time, Grade 10 students are now required to write three provincial exams: in science, math and language arts.
The next OECD international assessment will be administered in 2006. For more information on the 2003 assessment, visit http://www.pisa.gc.ca/ online.
Since 2000-01, the Province has increased funding to B.C. public schools by $174 million, although there are nearly 24,000 fewer students. Total education funding will rise by $313 million over the next three years, including $85 million more this year to school districts. The increased funding will help school districts continue to focus on improving student achievement.
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For information on AchieveBC, visit http://www.achievebc.ca online.
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