Pisa study: German pupils worse than ever before

Struggles in German Education: Pisa Report Shows Decline in Student Performance

Things aren't looking great for German students as per the latest Pisa performance comparison in 2022. German pupils are struggling in reading, mathematics, and science more than ever, recording the lowest scores Germany has seen in these areas within the Pisa framework. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Berlin reported a significant drop in international averages too.

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Here's a breakdown of the issue:

1. German students continue to underperform compared to their peers from other participating countries, a trend that's been consistent for some time now.
2. In international comparison, despite its education department's leadership, Germany lags significantly behind in mathematical and scientific performance, highlighting room for improvement.
3. The poor performance in Pisa has prompted discussions about the need to revamp the German education system and implement reforms to boost student performance.

Examining the Factors Behind the Downward Trend

While the Pisa report suggests an overall weakness in the German education system, the enrichment data reveals specific areas of concern:

1. Digital Competencies:
2. German students score lower than the OECD average when it comes to evaluating online information and comparing multiple sources.
3. Only a meager third of German teens verify the accuracy of online information before sharing it on social media.
4. Less than half of German students believe their teachers have sufficient digital competency to use devices in the classroom.
5. Infrastructure and Technical Support:
6. German students often find digital media to be unreliable and inaccessible in classrooms.
7. These issues make it challenging for students to utilize digital tools effectively for learning.

Proposed Reforms to Enhance Education Quality

Professor Samuel Greiff suggests that teachers should receive support to make online information evaluation a regular part of their lessons. This includes improving their digital literacy skills and embracing digital media in the classroom.

The HRK (German Rectors’ Conference) requires comprehensive infrastructure support to modernize universities, addressing issues like an €74 billion repair backlog in university construction.

Reforms in student financial support, housing support, and climate neutrality initiatives in universities will contribute to a better overall educational experience. These reforms aim to improve digital literacy, teacher training, and infrastructure to provide a high-quality education in Germany.