The 2018 PISA test results indicate geographic differences in reading literacy, with private schools performing better than government schools, though socioeconomic backgrounds equalize scores. China’s participation is controversial as it is based on data from only four chosen provinces, potentially inflating its performance statistics. Overall, Australia ranks 29th out of 79 OECD countries, with a noticeable downward trend across reading, mathematics, and science literacy.

1. PISA Summary - AEU
2019, December 3rd, results of the 2018 PISA Test released

2. Geographic differences

3. Reading literacy small upward trend

5. Differences between sector:
Scores are highest for Catholic schools, then
independent, then Government, but….

6. When socioeconomic background is
controlled for, there is no difference:

7. The trend for Gov. schools is that we serve low
performing students best

8. Geographical inequity remains a problem also:

9. Inequity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous
remains:

10. Only minor differences between student background:

11. The major controversy of this testing cycle
China’s data is drawn form only four provinces, which have been chosen by
their government, these areas happen to be English speaking areas (which
almost certainly would effect the effect scores.
As a comparison, this would be similar to Australia choosing only Victoria
and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and therefore seeing their test
scores jump significantly.
This means that China has improved across all three domains in a way that is
statistically incredible. This also greatly impacts the ‘OECD Average’, which is
the middle line that is often used to establish that we are ‘falling behind’, so
keep that in mind.

12. Beijing–Shanghai–Jiangsu–Zhejiang (China)

13. Overall
• Are bad overall
Reading holds steady
Mathematics declines
Science literacy
Significantly better countries than us:
• 10 above reading
• 23 in maths
• 12 in Science
Overall Australia ranks
29/79th among OECD
countries (broadly
speaking, developed,
well-off nations).

15. The trend continues downward