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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
VICTORIA – Grade 10 students
in British Columbia continue to perform competitively in science, math, and
reading, according to the latest international assessment, Education Minister
Shirley Bond announced.
“These international measures consistently show that
our schools and students are some of the finest in the world but also show
areas for growth,” said Bond. “We must continue to build on our strengths and
renew our focus on subject areas needing improvement, so that our youth are
prepared for an increasingly competitive world.”
Results were released today from the 2006 Programme
for International Student Assessment (PISA) of 15-year-olds’ abilities in
science, math, and reading. The overall focus of the 2006 assessment was
science.
B.C. students were in the top-performing range
worldwide, with only Finland doing significantly better in the science
category. In reading, only Finland and Korea were above B.C.’s range, while in
mathematics, five jurisdictions were above B.C.’s range. When comparing average
scores, B.C. ranked fourth in science, sixth in reading and thirteenth in math.
Generally, the 2006 results for B.C. students show scores similar to the 2003
results.
“Around the globe, countries are now focusing on the
same fundamentals that make the B.C. system so strong,” said Bond. “The world
is increasingly competitive, and as other countries begin to excel, we must
continue to build achievement levels to maintain a strong future for our
students.”
The information from the PISA survey also indicates
factors that lead to higher student success, such as immigrant status, parental
education and socio-economic status. British Columbia has been identified as
the best Canadian example of a jurisdiction that has minimized the effect of
socio-economic status on performance while still maintaining a high level of
student performance.
PISA is
administered by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD) every three years. In 2006, 15-year-olds in 57 countries and 10 Canadian
provinces participated, including nearly 1,900 students from 73 B.C. schools.
Each year, the survey tests students for ability in math, reading and science,
with a special focus on one of these areas. The next OECD international
assessment will be administered in 2009. For more information on the 2006
assessment, visit www.pisa.gc.ca/ online.
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Ministry of Education 250 356-5963 250 920-9040 (cell) |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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