| Keyword | Description |
|---|---|
| PISA | A test that measures how students around the world perform in reading, math and science. |
| OECD | The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, a group that works to improve the lives of people around the world. |
| Curious | Eager to learn or know about something. |
The latest global education test, called PISA, shows that many Mexican students are having a hard time with science, math and reading. PISA stands for the Programme for International Student Assessment and it is a test given to 15-year-olds around the world. In the latest test, four out of every 10 students in Mexico scored below a basic level in these subjects. This is worse than the average for all countries in the OECD, which is about two out of every 10 students.
On average, Mexican students scored 388 points in math, 408 in reading, and 414 in science. These scores are lower than the OECD average scores, which are higher in each area. Since 2022, Mexican students’ scores in math and reading have dropped by seven points, though their science scores stayed the same. These results are the worst for Mexico since 2009.
Even though the scores are low, 80% of Mexican students say they are curious about different topics, which is higher than the global average. Only 11% of these students think school is a waste of time, compared to 24% globally. The decline in scores is not just a problem in Mexico; many countries are seeing similar drops. This may be due to shorter attention spans, too much use of artificial intelligence and a shortage of teachers.
Countries like China, Singapore, and Canada are doing the best in these tests. Mexico, along with other countries, faces challenges but also shows a positive attitude toward learning.
Bridging words
These words sound similar in English and Spanish: Why not practice them now?
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Curious | Curioso |
| Education | Educación |
| Organization | Organización |
Time to discuss
- Why do you think Mexican students are scoring lower in the PISA test compared to other countries?
- How do you think the use of Artificial Intelligence affects students’ learning?
- What can schools do to help students become more interested in science, math, and reading?
Let’s Write
Answer the following questions in one paragraph.
- What are some challenges Mexican students face according to the PISA test results?
- How might curiosity help students improve their learning despite low test scores?
