Pisa tests, run by the OECD, compare 15 year olds abilities in reading, maths and science. The most recent results show the highest achievers to be Asian school systems, such as Shanghai, Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore. Finland flies the flag as top European performer. England is ranked 25th in reading, 27th for maths and 16th for science, with results hovering around the average. The OECD says England isn t so much getting worse, as being overtaken by other countries improving more quickly. But there are other international tests. US researchers produce global league tables, known as PIRLS and TIMSS, also based on tests in maths, reading and science. This shows a stronger performance for England, particularly in maths where it is in the top 10. And another global education ranking from education firm Pearson, places the UK in sixth place with Finland and South Korea in the top places.
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