A current educational issue that is of concern in Australia is the decline in Australian reading, mathematics and scientific literacy for students aged 15 as indicated by PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) results. This is an issue as it highlights, “the challenge facing the federal government in reaching its goal of having a top-five school system in the world by 2025.” (Preiss 2013) While Australia is not performing poorly against the OECD, certain other countries such as Canada, Finland and Singapore are consistently performing better. Of equal concern is the fact that “other countries are doing a better job at closing the gap, whilst maintaining performance.” Whereas worryingly Australia has only slightly increased equity within the past nine years while simultaneously suffering a significant decline in overall performance.
Lobascher proposes that this PISA testing have been adopted by nations such as Australia to “close the gap between socially advantaged and socially disadvantaged students” (Lobascher, 2011, p.9) Although if we look at the case of Australia, “reading scores dropped 13 points to 515 between 2000 and 2009, compared with the OECD average of 496.” (Preiss 2013) According to the OECD “On average, a socio-economically advantaged student scores 88 points higher on the PISA reading test than a socio-economically disadvantaged student, a difference that is equivalent to more than two years of schooling.” (OECD, 2013, p.1) Australia’s lack of equity may be because 35% of schools are private, causing equity problems in the public.
Also it can be questioned as to “why Australian policy is being borrowed from the UK or USA when Australia outperforms these two nations on key international measures.” (Lobascher, 2011, p.11) Instead of emulating the education system that is leading the rest of the world on the PISA evaluation, Finland. “Finland has embraced loose standards, holistic learning, and has entrusted teachers to monitor student progress” (Lobascher, 2011, p.11) whereas in contrast Australia has moved towards a standardised, centralised national curriculum.
Hence I believe it is beneficial for Australia to emulate the educational culture of top countries both in terms of equity and academic performance rather than the UK or US. Australia must look past its connections with these two nations as Australia is already performing better and imitating their education systems seems nonsensical as results indicate that Australian education is on the decline. Also these results have shed light on the disadvantaged students and schools. Therefore the government should implement policies that foster improvements in both equity and performance in order to lessen the deficit of those parties that are disadvantaged by providing them, “high quality instruction; and offering additional educational opportunities to disadvantaged” (OECD 2013) as this may not be possible to be afforded by a parent.
References
Preiss, B. (2013) Student achievement levels slip. Sydney Morning Herald. Published on August 16th 2013. Viewed on July 31st 2013. <http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/student-achievement-levels-slip-20130815-2rznc.html>
Preiss, B. (2013). Reading decline for 15 year olds. Sydney Morning Herald. Published on August 16th 2013, Viewed on July 31st 2013. <http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/reading-decline-for-15yearolds-20130815-2rzo0.html>
Lobascher, S. (2011). What are the Potential Impacts of High-stakes Testing on Literacy Education in Australia? Literacy Learning: the Middle Years. Vol. 19, No. 2pp.10-20
OECD, “Are countries moving towards more equitable education systems?,” PISA in focus 25, 2013, pp.1-4
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