PISA results point to systemic problems in Iceland’s schools

Results from the PISA assessment point to a systemic performance problem in Iceland’s school system rather than shortcomings at individual schools, mbl.is reports. The findings also show that socioeconomic background has less influence on Icelandic students’ performance than the average across OECD member states.

There is little difference in results between individual schools in Iceland. This is seen both as evidence of a high degree of equality in the school system and as an indication that the performance problem affecting Icelandic children is systemic.

Since 2022, the performance gap in science between students from the most advantaged parts of society and those facing the greatest difficulties has narrowed by 18 points. Science was the main focus of this year’s assessment.

Students from less affluent families improved by an average of 13 points, while the performance of students from wealthier families declined by an average of five points over the same period.

Less than 10% of the difference in student performance can be attributed to the school they attend. This means Iceland’s weak results in recent assessments cannot be traced to individual schools.

Socioeconomic background accounted for 7.1% of the variation in science performance in Iceland, compared with an OECD average of 11.6%.

The OECD said the results reveal weaknesses in how education systems worldwide respond and adapt to social, technological and economic changes in recent years.

Further challenges in Iceland’s school system include a shortage of teaching materials, unclear objectives in the national curriculum and in teaching, as well as restlessness.

The main challenge ahead is not only to recover lost ground but also to ensure that schools can respond to rapid changes in what the world demands of students. The report says there is considerable work ahead.