PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) Results

PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) Results

Speaker: The hon. Minister of Education, Early Learning and Culture.

Minister Currie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

This morning I joined students, teachers, and partners at the Charlottetown Rural to announce the latest PISA results. PISA is rigorous assessment of science, reading, and math taken every three years by 15-year-olds in 72 OECD countries. Experts consider PISA to be one of the best indicators of student success and effectiveness of an education system because it tests cumulative knowledge in essential areas near the end of the compulsory education. I’m pleased to report that the progress of Island students was remarkable in all three domains. PEI moved up considerably in the Canadian standings. We showed the largest improvement in the country in science, reading, and math. We were the only province in Canada to show statistically significant improvement and we had the highest equity in all three domains, making us the Canadian leader in producing equitable education outcomes. Andreas Shleicher of the OECD summarized PEI’s performance best when he said: PEI still has work to do to reach the performance of Alberta or British Columbia, two of the world’s most advanced education systems. But it is advancing fast. In science, PEI’s 15-year-old students now compare with their peers in Korea and New Zealand, and clearly outperform students in the majority of OECD countries. In math and reading, PEI has been the fastest advancing Canadian province and, for the first time, students read at the Canadian average, which in turn is the benchmark for much of the advanced world. This shows that it pays off to collaborate with teachers to raise standards, target gaps in learning and bring precision to instruction. Island students made us very proud today. They are proving that even though we are a small province, we can prepare our students to meet whatever challenges lie ahead for them in their futures. We also continue to show how we as Islanders are good at working together to do great things. These results are also a reason to celebrate our teachers. The results we got today did not happen overnight or even since PISA 2012. It happened over several years through the combined work of teachers and staff that took the results of all our assessments and worked collaboratively to raise standards, improve instruction, and close learning gaps. I ask members to join me in recognizing the success of our students and the amazing work of our teachers. With your indulgence, I would like to acknowledge the students that have joined us today. I had the chance to meet and talk to them this morning. They are from Charlottetown Rural. These are grade 12 students who participated and are leading the country in the three domains: Bret Cheverie, Parker Day, Annika Landry, Allie Muise, Jason Poley, Owen Ready, Kami Chaisson, and Malek Wolters. Congratulations to you all. Thank you.

Ministerial Statement

Doug Currie

Minister of Education, Early Learning and Culture