Spain scores historically worst in mathematics in PISA report, worse in reading and better in science

Spanish students obtain results similar to the OECD average, worsening all their results after the pandemic

Madrid, December 5 (European Press) –

Spanish students had their worst result in the history of the PISA report in mathematics in the 2022 edition. Their results also worsened in reading compared to the 2018 report, but they improved in science.

Specifically, the Program for Comprehensive Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 report, prepared every three years by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and compiled by Europe Press, reveals that Spanish students scored 473 points in mathematics, which is equivalent to the worst score Theirs in the history of the report (since 2003 they have always obtained at least 480 points) and 8 points better than in 2018 when they obtained 481 points.

In Reading, Spanish students scored 474 points, three points lower than in 2018 (477), despite 13 points more than their historic worst PISA score, where in 2006 they got 461 points.

However, in the latest PISA report, the preparation of which was delayed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Spain improved its results in science, a subject in which it obtained 485 points, which is two points higher than in 2018 (483 points). point), the year in which it received its worst score in the history of the report.

Spain’s results in the PISA 2022 report are similar to the OECD average, with the average score for all countries examined being 472 in mathematics (15 points lower than in 2018); 476 in reading (10 points lower than in 2018); and 485 in science (two points lower compared to 2018).

The PISA report, in which Spain first participated in 2000, assesses the knowledge and skills of fifteen-year-old students in mathematics, reading and science, which provides information on how educational systems prepare students to meet real challenges and succeed in the future.

In 2022, nearly 690,000 students took this assessment, representing 29 million 15-year-olds in schools in 81 participating countries. In Spain, 30,800 students in 966 schools participated, representing 459,000 Spanish 15-year-olds.

The OECD report identifies six levels according to student performance. Thus, at levels 5 and 6 there are students with high ability; In levels 3 and 4, students of average ability; At Level 2, students with basic abilities; At the first level, students with low academic performance.

73% of Spaniards have basic mathematics skills

In Spain, 73% of students achieved at least level 2 proficiency in mathematics, which is more than the average in OECD countries (69%). At a minimum, these students can explain and recognize, without direct instruction, how to represent a simple situation mathematically, such as comparing the total distance between two alternative routes or converting prices to a different currency.

The study also indicates that almost 6% of students in Spain were high-achieving students in mathematics, meaning they reached level 5 or 6 on this test, three percentage points below the OECD average (9%). . At these levels, students can solve complex situations mathematically and can select, compare and evaluate appropriate strategies for solving related problems.

Regarding reading, 76% of students in Spain reached level 2 or above, two percentage points more than the OECD average (74%). At a minimum, these students can identify the main idea in a medium-length text, find information based on clear, though sometimes complex, criteria, and can think about the purpose and form of texts when explicitly directed to do so.

In Spain, 5% of students achieved grades at level 5 or above, compared to an average of 7% in OECD countries. These students can understand long texts, process abstract concepts, and distinguish between facts and opinions based on implicit cues regarding the content or source of the information.

Regarding science, 79% of Spanish students reached second level or above, compared to an average of 76% in OECD countries. These students can, at a minimum, recognize the correct explanation for familiar scientific phenomena and can use that knowledge to determine, in simple cases, whether a conclusion is correct based on the data provided.

In Spain, 5% of students achieved honors in science, meaning they performed at level 5 or 6, while the OECD average at these levels is 7%. These students can apply their knowledge in and about science creatively and independently to a wide range of situations, including situations with which they are unfamiliar.

Low performing students and high performing students

Thus, in Spain, 27% of students have low performance (below Level 2) in mathematics (31% on OECD average); 24% have low reading performance (26% OECD average); And 21% have low performance in science (average 24% in OECD countries).

Furthermore, 6% of Spanish students are outstanding students (level 5 or above) in mathematics (9% on OECD average); 5% of students excelled in reading (7% on OECD average); And 5% are students who excel in science (7% average in OECD countries).

In Spain, socioeconomically advantaged students (top 25% in terms of socioeconomic status) outperformed disadvantaged students (bottom 25%) by 86 points in mathematics. This is less than the average difference between the two groups (93 points) in OECD countries. Between 2012 and 2022, the mathematics achievement gap between the top 25% and bottom 25% of students in terms of socio-economic status remained stable in Spain, as well as on average in OECD countries.

They’re better at math and they’re better at reading

The study also reveals gender differences in students’ performance. Specifically, it details that boys in Spain outperform girls in mathematics by 10 points, while girls outperform them in reading by 25 points.

In Spain, the proportion of low-performing students is similar between boys (27%) and girls (28%) in mathematics. However, the percentage is higher in reading among boys (20% of girls and 29% of boys scored below level 2 in reading). As for outstanding students, the percentage is higher among boys (7%) than among girls (4%) in mathematics, while in reading the percentage is higher among girls (6% girls and 4% boys). Or 6 in reading).

On the other hand, PISA 2022 specifies that the average difference in performance in mathematics between immigrant and non-immigrant students is 33 points in favor of non-immigrants. In Reading, the difference was 32 points.