ATL COMMENT ON OECD’S PISA SURVEY OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF 15 YEAR OLDS

4 December 2007

Martin Johnson, acting deputy general secretary at the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said:

“While politicians try to score points over the UK’s position in this league table, they should not ignore its findings.

“The survey clearly shows wealth and social class have a greater impact on pupil performance than any other factor world-wide.

“Interfering British politicians, who think they know better than teachers, should take on board the message that giving schools autonomy pays-off.

“The survey also shows that early selection or grouping by ability increase the impact of differences in social class and the gap between the children who do best and those who achieve least.

“Another important message from PISA is that high pupil performance is not inevitably linked to a country’s economic performance.  Politicians need to realise education is about much more than preparing youngsters for work.”