ASTI - Ireland's main second level teachers union

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The latest OECD PISA report shows Irish second-level students performing significantly above average in science, average in literacy and below average in maths.

 

There are many explanations for the decline in test results in literacy and maths in PISA 2010 compared to PISA 2007, 2004 and 2000. However, the ASTI says the provision of resources to second-level schools has consistently lagged behind the requirements of a diverse student cohort.

 

ASTI General Secretary Pat King said: “There have been significant and profound changes to the second-level student cohort over the past 10 years. Since the enactment of legislation resulting in the mainstreaming of special needs students in our schools in 2005, up to 18% of students in second-level schools now have special educational needs. At the same time the number of international students has increased significantly from 2.3% of the cohort in 2000 to more than 8.3% in 2009; many of these students have English-language and other learning needs. In addition, the school retention rate has improved, and many students vulnerable to early school dropout are now completing their second-level education.

 

“Large class sizes and insufficient learning support and language support teachers impact on the quality of the learning environment. The ASTI believes education should be resourced so as to give all students adequate opportunities to reach their potential.

 

“While a number of  recent OECD reports have noted that parents of second-level students in Ireland can rely on high and consistent standards across all types of second-level school, the ASTI is concerned that this latest PISA report indicates a closer link between socio-economic status and achievement in PISA tests amongst Irish pupils. This must be a major concern for all of society.”

 

Finally, Mr King warned that the results of PISA 2010 should be treated with caution, particularly as there is no other evidence suggesting a significant decline in student achievement in schools over the past 10 years. “In fact, Ireland has a reputation internationally as having a high quality education service. This is despite the fact that our schools are significantly underfunded in comparison with their EU and international counterparts.”

 

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