Gove: Pisa report highlights need for reforms

December 07 2010

Education secretary Michael Gove has responded to new figures from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which shows that English pupils have fallen in worldwide education rankings.

Its Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) that schoolchildren in England are now ranked 27th for maths, coming behind Poland and Norway.

Mr Gove said the study underlines the need for serious reform of the school system.

"Other regions and nations have succeeded in closing the gap and in raising attainment for all students at the same time. They have made opportunity more equal, democratised access to knowledge and placed an uncompromising emphasis on higher standards all at the same time," he commented.

These regions and countries include Alberta, Hong Kong, Finland, Harlem and South Korea, Mr Gove said.

While each of these has its own unique approach to education, there are a number of common factors, such as harnessing detailed performance data and encouraging professionals to collaborate.

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