Everyone wants the "teacher" now. The "teachers" must be on course. Learn more. Teach. Save youth from math refusal. But it is naïve to think that skippers can lift a heavy cultural trend.
(THIS ARTICLE IS MACHINE TRANSLATED by Google from Norwegian)
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The concern. “The new PISA survey shows that we have a science problem in Norway. It worries me greatly. The results are simply not good enough. "
This is how the relatively newly appointed Minister of Knowledge Torbjørn Røe Isaksen (H) is quoted at The Ministry of Culture's own website Tuesday 3. December. The reason is the publication of the PISA results on the same day.
PISA ("International Student Assessment Program") is an international survey which since 2000 has been conducted every three years under the auspices of the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development). The study maps 15-year-olds' competence in reading, science and mathematics, the latter being the main area in this year's published PISA survey. This year, half a million students from 65 countries participated, of which 34 OECD countries participated – from Norway, 4700 students from 198 schools participated.
This year's PISA survey shows that Norwegian students' performance in mathematics has declined since 2009. In science, there is also a negative change, while the results in reading remain stable. While South Korea, China, Japan and Taiwan score high, including the Netherlands and Switzerland, Norway falls below the average – especially in mathematics. Norwegian 15-year-olds are number 30 out of 65 in mathematics, number 31 out of 65 in science – while Norwegian students score better and above average on reading – as number 22 out of 65.
It is worth noting a lot to enjoy with the numbers: Like the fact that Vietnam is number 17 out of 65 in mathematics and number 19 in reading. Who would have thought that a decade or two ago? And students in both Poland and Estonia do better than the Norwegian-Norwegian study trips can just as easily be placed there as in Finland. From an international perspective, it is reassuring that these previously colonized countries are now doing so well. But it is also far more worrying that Peru and Indonesia do so poorly in both reading and mathematics, as much as 100 points behind the equally good countries Norway and the USA.
teacher Faith
For the Norwegian "PISA concern", as expressed by Røe Isaksen, is not unique. On the contrary, the concern is similar in both the USA, the UK and Sweden, for example – where the right-wing private school has contributed to a further fall in results. It can be pointed out that it does not necessarily say much in the long run with such tests at the age of 15 – it is practice in adulthood that counts. And it can be said that the disadvantages of the South Korean study pressure are that many get into trouble and flee the school and the country – in favor of more humanistic approaches.
But at the same time, it does not appear that Norway has a mathematics and science problem. It is well to note not the PISA numbers in themselves a sign of, but more the general fear, at times of contempt, of numbers, algebra and mathematics. One can now boast of not being able to rain in this country. It is not a sign of health.
fear culture
“The teacher is the solution, but so far they have not been given sufficient opportunities and opportunities to pursue continuing education. I am convinced that the teachers want more professional replenishment. Good teachers should have the opportunity to become even better with our teacher promise, ”says Røe Isaksen.
In the budget for 2014, NOK 310 million more has therefore been set aside for continuing and further education for teachers. But it is naive to think that some courses will help in the first place. It is a comprehensive cultural trend that must be reversed – it will take many years. And today's teachers are just a small part of a larger puzzle. Both most parents and the general debate may need a slightly more relaxed relationship with numbers and science. Or as Torgeir Knag Fylkesnes, education policy spokesman in SV, says:
"There is no reason to blackmail these results. Both the OECD, the Norwegian Pisa researchers and other research provide good reason to say that Norwegian schools are on the right track. Using these Pisa results to scare propaganda is going too far. I fear Røe Isaksen will use the results to step up the test focus in Norwegian school, ”points out Fylkesnes.
There is probably no increased test culture or fear culture one needs. Neither do new skippers. But long-term, positive work. It will take many years to reverse the fear of math. It is not the teachers job alone.