December 7, 2010
Alberta’s 15-year olds place among world’s best in reading, scientific and mathematical literacy
Alberta’s students continue to rank among the best in Canada and the world, according to the results of the 2009 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). Alberta students placed second in the world in reading and scientific literacy, and eighth in mathematical literacy.
In reading, the major focus of the 2009 PISA study, Alberta students achieved the highest average score in Canada. Internationally, Alberta’s reading literacy results were among the very highest-scoring nations, second only to Shanghai-China and tied with South Korea, Finland, and Hong Kong-China.
“I am very encouraged by these results,” said Dave Hancock, Minister of Education. “Alberta’s education system continues to rank among the best in the world and Albertans can be confident that our schools are succeeding in preparing students to excel on the global stage.”
In the minor focus areas examined by PISA in 2009, Alberta continued to achieve high results. In mathematical literacy, Alberta students ranked second in Canada and eighth in the world. In scientific literacy, Alberta students ranked first in Canada, scoring significantly above the Canadian average, and ranked second worldwide.
PISA is administered every three years by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. The tests assess the international achievement of 15-year-old students in reading, mathematical and scientific literacy. In Alberta approximately 2,900 students from public, separate, francophone, charter, and private schools, together with other sampled students from 65 countries, participated in the test in the spring of 2009. This is the fourth time Alberta has participated in this program.
2009 PISA results
Chart for reading literacy results: http://education.alberta.ca/media/PisaNR2009/PISA2009ReadingABupdateDec6.pdf
Chart for scientific literacy results: http://education.alberta.ca/media/PisaNR2009/PISA2009ScienceABupdateDec6.pdf
Chart for mathematical literacy results: http://education.alberta.ca/media/PisaNR2009/PISA2009MathABupdateDec6.pdf
Previous Results
Alberta students consistently score top marks on national and international tests like the School Achievement Indicators Program (SAIP) test and the OECD Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) test.
Find out more about Alberta’s 2000, 2003 and 2006 PISA results.
Find out more about Alberta’s 2004 SAIP results.