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Learning from PISA to develop basic skills

In March 2024, we explored the latest edition of the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
Two children sitting on floor with books on their heads
Gustavo Fring / Pexels

PISA focuses on the level of basic skills (mathematics, reading and science) among 15-year-old secondary school pupils. At EU level, the latest results show an overall decline in levels across EU Member States. An expert article by Marco Montanari, European Commission, looks at these trends and what they mean for the EU.
PISA 2022 and the EU: three thought-provoking trends

While the core PISA results focus on the importance of basic skills, they also highlight the influence of other factors, such as equity in education and the role of parental engagement in education. 
Equity and basic skills in PISA 2022 results 
PISA 2022 perspectives on parental involvement 

The PISA results also look at the role that digital technologies can have in classrooms, providing possibilities to enrich children’s learning experience, but equally how to deal with the distraction of technology in schools.
Digital distractions and digital enrichment: integrating new technologies in the right way

March’s practice article looked took a closer look at projects that have used play, dialogue, and creativity to put in place good foundational skills at an early age. We also looked at the examples of Estonia and Ireland to see how targeted interventions can help to drive sustained improvement in basic skills. 
Play, dialogue and creativity for the acquisition of basic skills
What can we learn from Estonia and Ireland's PISA results?  

In 2025, PISA will also include an optional assessment on foreign languages to better understand how pupils learn English inside and outside school. 
Preparing for PISA foreign language assessment with case study results

To learn more about PISA, watch the two webinar recordings: 
Basic skills, lessons learned from PISA
PISA-based Test for Schools and how the European Schools have used it

Additional information

  • Education type:
    School Education
  • Target audience ISCED:
    Primary education (ISCED 1)
    Lower secondary education (ISCED 2)
    Upper secondary education (ISCED 3)