Kristin Halvorsen said the results of PISA show that Norwegian schools are on the right path and the schools in Norway are developing in a positive direction. The improvement is significant in reading, and the Norwegian students are reading better than the OECD average. In mathematics and science, the Norwegian results are similar to the average, but the results still show a positive development, most in science.
Reading is the main theme in the survey. Compared to other countries in the Nordic countries, Norway is in second place after Finland.
– Both Norway, Sweden and Denmark got a wake-up message when the first PISA results was announced in 2001. Norway has implemented many measures to reverse the trend. This year's results show that targeted efforts to strengthen public school have really worked, "said Kristin Halvorsen. She also emphasized that PISA does not tell the whole truth about the Norwegian school, but it is still an important indicator.
– Many teachers, principals and students have worked hard for this result. The challenge is to intensify efforts so that we can improve results in mathematics and science, and we get more boys to read better, "she said.
Facts about PISA:
PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) is an international project under the auspices of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development). The project aims to compare the 15-year-old students' expertise and skills in the areas of reading, mathematics and science. PISA survey is conducted every three years, Norway has participated since its fisrt introduction. The survey was conducted for the fourth time in Norway in spring 2009.