Icelandic PISA results worsen as education leaders plan major push

Icelandic students’ performance in the PISA assessment continues to decline, with Iceland scoring below the OECD and Nordic averages in every subject measured, Hildur Björnsdóttir writes in a column published by mbl.is.

She describes the results as a serious concern, while noting that not all findings are negative. Icelandic students show greater perseverance than the OECD average and report strong support from their teachers. Bullying is limited, curiosity is high and students report strong social ties.

However, Björnsdóttir asks why students are not performing better if they feel so well. Reykjavík students perform better than students in rural areas, but performance has declined more sharply in the capital region between assessments.

The largest differences appear when performance is examined by students’ background. Iceland has one of the widest OECD gaps between students with a domestic background and those with a foreign background. Students with a foreign background also report significantly weaker social ties than students of domestic origin.

Björnsdóttir says this requires clear responses and targeted action so that all children, regardless of origin, have the tools they need to thrive and become active members of society.

The Reykjavík City Council plans a major push on education. The new majority has formally instructed the city’s school and leisure affairs department to prepare proposals aimed at improving performance in reading comprehension, mathematics and scientific literacy.

The city also plans to consult teachers on measures to improve results, as good cooperation with teachers is considered essential for further progress.

A standardised assessment process has already been planned for every grade in compulsory school each year. The assessments are intended to provide tools for monitoring students’ position and setting clear goals for further improvement.

The city has also introduced a phone-free policy in compulsory schools, set a goal of improving learning materials in cooperation with the national government, introduced homework assistance in libraries and begun work to strengthen school libraries. It also plans to significantly increase Icelandic-language teaching for students with a foreign background.

Björnsdóttir notes that PISA is not the only measure of educational performance, but says it remains a useful one. She argues that improving results will require a joint effort by the authorities, teachers and families to bring Iceland’s school system among the best.