Strong Performers and Successful Reformers in Education

A video series profiling policies and practices of education systems that demonstrate high or improving performance in the PISA tests

In today’s global economy, countries need high-quality education systems that will teach their citizens the skills necessary to meet the challenges of tomorrow. This series of videos, produced jointly by the OECD and the Pearson Foundation, highlights initiatives being taken by education authorities around the world to help school students do better.

A message from Angel Gurría


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The school systems featured were chosen for their strong performance in the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). Every three years, PISA evaluates the skills of 15-year-old secondary students in three basic areas: reading, mathematics and science. Pencil-and-paper tests assess how well they analyze problems, seek solutions and communicate ideas. Around half a million students participated in the latest round, carried out in 2009 in some 70 countries and economies.

Starting from very different levels, a number of countries and regions have succeeded over the last few years in raising their students’ performance substantially. They display some important common features. Their politicians and social leaders share with parents, teachers and students a strong belief in the value of education. Resources are channeled to the areas where they will provide the greatest results. All students are given opportunities to achieve success.

The best systems deliver strong and equitable learning outcomes across widely varying cultural and economic contexts. By showing what they achieve, the PISA tests provide a mirror to all countries and demonstrate what is possible. Others can learn from those that do well. The purpose of these videos is to transmit ideas and stimulate debate.

Films

Belgium (Flanders) Flanders builds a "triangle of quality" based on extensive autonomy for schools, supported by pedagogical advisory services and monitored by government inspectors.

Japan To help students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, the government requires students to study topics from different viewpoints and draw links between what they observe.

Brazil In a decentralized system dogged by uneven teacher quality, poor infrastructure and low student commitment, Brazil is using benchmarking to identify problems and drive reform.

Korea Digital textbooks will provide easier and more equitable access to educational resources for Korean students as part of the policy of Smart Education.

Ontario, Canada Provincial governments run education in Canada, and Ontario shows how high-school students can do well whatever their family background, first language or place of birth.

Netherlands In a drive to raise the quality of classroom teaching and boost student performance, Dutch education authorities are encouraging teachers to learn from each other through a process of peer review.

Shanghai, China A drive by Shanghai authorities to help low-performing schools and students took the city's secondary-school students to top place in the PISA 2009 tests.

Poland Poland overhauled its school system, raising performance to similar levels to the United States and Norway despite spending less than half of what those countries spend on education.

Finland Finland's schools are well integrated in communities and teachers are highly committed, making it a top PISA performer with little variation among pupils of differing backgrounds.

Portugal School "clusters" combine several schools together to create more collaborative environments for teachers and better access to a range of educational opportunities for students.

Germany The 2001 "PISA shock" sparked a nationwide debate in Germany about the nation's school system and how to improve it.

Singapore Singapore has developed a comprehensive system for selecting, compensating, training and developing teachers and principals to ensure the delivery of high-quality education.