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Rogers concern at PISA results

SDLP South Down MLA, and education spokesperson Sean Rogers says the latest PISA results show that despite investment, the standards in English, Mathematics and Science in Northern Ireland haven’t shown a significant improvement.

The former high school principal was speaking after the latest PISA results – the Programme for International Student Assessment international education, based on tests taken by more than 500,000 secondary school pupils – were published this week.

Speaking to Newry Times, Rogers said, “I think this report just confirms what we know already that despite the significant investment, the standards in English, Mathematics and Science haven’t shown a significant improvement.

“There is little dissemination of good practice – Achieving Belfast and Achieving Derry were in themselves good projects but this good work needs disseminated. We see the same story with PAC reports in 2006 and most recently.

“The Minister highlights the need for further reform, but this is the last thing teachers need – look at Computer Based Assessment, the current issues with Levels of progression. While there is a lot of room for improvement in the secondary sector, sound educational foundations are not built in this sector,” the SDLP MLA stressed.

“Underachievement will never be solved by knee-jerk reactions or throwing money at a problem, but only by a clear strategic approach that tackles the issues in early years and in the primary school.

“Research has highlighted the importance of early years learning to the educational achievements of children. We must put mechanisms in place to support children when they first enter structured learning. Baseline assessment would be a good place to start.

Rogers added, “Teachers are our most valuable resource who need and deserve high quality on-going professional development.”

Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=37455

Posted by on Dec 10 2013. Filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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