Exam Results Pearlwho analyzed reading ability in fourth-grade students (age 10), concluded that Spanish students at this early stage have gone bad There has been a decrease of seven points in the score obtained between 2016 and 2021 as compared to the previous edition of the report.
Some results do not leave Spain in a good place, which is ranked 21st in the ranking of countries after breaking the upward trend seen in this test since it took part in 2006. The figures for 2016-2021 show a drop of up to 521 points, which according to the study, responds to the Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the educational system.
«It confirms that in the same line with PISA – which is carried out on students in the fourth year of ESO- gives results lower than the EU and OECD average. a gap that settles», explains a Professor of Economics at Rey Juan Carlos University, Ismael Sanz. In particular, the average number of students in the European Union is 528 points and that of the OECD is 533.
Although it was expected that the Ministry of Education would also publish data from the autonomous community this Thursday, but this did not happen. Ministry sources told the ABC the figures would be published on 29 May. election reasons», which does not invite optimism.
In this report, with the participation of 57 countries – around 400,000 students, 380,000 parents, 20,000 teachers, and 13,000 schools – Singapore topped the table with 587 points, followed by Ireland (577), Hong Kong (573), Russia (567) is ranked. and Northern Ireland (558), while the last places are South Africa (288), Morocco (372), Egypt (378), Jordan (381), and Iran (413). Egypt is the country that has improved the most (48), while Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have lost the most points (32).
Covid-19 Effects in the Classroom
Reports suggest that two-thirds of the participating countries have registered a decline in average performance in reading between 2016 and 2021, which suggests that the pandemic has had a general negative effect in this regard.
However, in the case of Spain, it should be noted that it was one of the first countries in its environment to reopen classes after confinement Due to the pandemic, therefore, the decline in performance should be less. But, when compared with countries such as the United Kingdom, where classes resumed in March 2021—in Spain, it was in September 2020—, the Spanish decline is significant nonetheless.
Similarly, students, whose differences in reading ability are sharp socioeconomic status It is more vulnerable than those who enjoy more resources. Two factors that are usually correlated, but on occasion, are added by the fact that many students had to follow classes from home, which requires computer equipment and resources not covered by all educational centers. cannot be done, the so-called digital divide, In the case of Spain, the score difference between students from high and low socioeconomic status was 62 points (550 vs. 488).
The report also includes the results of the time used digital devices To find and read information during the school day. In Spain, 25% devote more than 30 minutes, 57% this time or less, and 18% do not devote even a minute.
Less brilliant student
Another aspect of the report that doesn’t speak well of reading ability is the ratio of students with excellent test results to students with poor scores. As per PIRS, with the number of students low and very low performance They have risen to 25% of the total, which is higher than the average for the European Union (23%) and the OECD (22%).
an indicator in which Spain deteriorates and which reflects a lack of equal opportunity In the education system, in Serrano’s words, that also highlights how the segment corresponding to very high-performing students remained stable despite the pandemic.
On the other hand, in Spain, the difference between the marks obtained by boys and girls is negligible, with only two more marks for them. A reduction that appears a priori positive, although as the URJC economics professor points out, it does not respond to an increase in female scores, but a General decline in both groups.
