Abstract
Is PISA Counter-Productive to Building Successful Educational Systems?
XVIII ISA World Congress of Sociology: Conference Abstracts, p.107
ISA World Congress of Sociology: Sociology on the Move, XVIII (Gothenburg, Sweden, 11-Jul-2010–17-Jul-2010)
2010
Abstract
This paper presents work in progress on a doctoral project entitled "A cross-national, comparative study of cultural factors underpinning 15 year old students' performance in reading literacy in Australia, Finland, Sweden & Indonesia". The study aims to go beyond the PISA league tables to provide an in-depth comparison of what literacy means to students & teachers in different sites. The paper takes one embedded case study, to illuminate discussion about the purpose of schooling & valid accountability standards. Various national steering documents show there is crossnational consensus that academic achievement is only one of a number of goals that should be attained in educating children. PISA mainly measures cognitive achievement & some affective aspects underpinning academic performance. However, the strong emphasis on students' personal, physical, mental & social development that is found in national steering documents is outside the scope of PISA. Considering the enormous interest PISA attracts & the impact of the outcomes on national education policies, the question arises as to what is in reality the main purpose of schooling and what is simply politically correct rhetoric. In addition, if successful schooling equals fostering independent, socially skilled individuals who can take an active part in a democratic society, would not PISA scores be considered invalid & possibly even counter-productive as PISA not only disregards most affective and conative aspects, but may even lead to a utilitarian, narrowed cognitive scope?
Details
- Title
- Is PISA Counter-Productive to Building Successful Educational Systems?
- Authors
- Anna Dall (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
- Publication details
- XVIII ISA World Congress of Sociology: Conference Abstracts, p.107
- Conference details
- ISA World Congress of Sociology: Sociology on the Move, XVIII (Gothenburg, Sweden, 11-Jul-2010–17-Jul-2010)
- Publisher
- International Sociological Associaton
- Date published
- 2010
- Organisation Unit
- School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450251402621
- Output Type
- Abstract
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