NZ science and maths students turn around 20 years of decline in international tests
New Zealand's 15-year-olds have seen a stabilization or slight improvement in science and maths scores in the latest PISA tests, ending a two-decade decline. However, reading scores reached a new low, and officials noted that the results may be slightly inflated due to a non-representative student sample.
Why it matters
These results provide a critical benchmark for national education policy and indicate whether long-term educational reforms are effectively reversing historical learning losses.
New Zealand's science and maths scores in the international Pisa tests for 15-year-olds have improved or stabilised after more than 20 years of decline.
This country's average score in science improved from 504 to 509 points, and in maths by a single point to 480.
In reading, New Zealand reached a new low of 497, a small drop of four points caused by a fall in boys' scores.
The changes were considered statistically insignificant, but the science and maths results would be regarded as good news following successive declines that left reading 32 points adrift of a high recorded in the early-2000s, maths down 43 points, and science 23 points.
The OECD said 20 points were equivalent to a year of learning.
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