Australian Students Fall Behind In Maths And Science Rankings On The International Stage

Latest trends in the International Mathematics and Science study shows Australia has dropped from 18th to 28th place out of 49 countries in Year 4 mathematics, and from 12th to 17th in Year 8 science.

Scores for Australian Year 8 students aren’t significantly different from the past, leading experts to believe that Australia is simply being overtaken by countries rather than its own standards slipping.

Sue Thomson, director of educational monitoring and research at the Australian council for Education Research, described the results as a “wake-up call”.

“Australia has remained in the middle of the pack in the past 20 years,” said Dr Thomson. “A substantial proportion of our students are below the Australian proficient standard, with roughly half of students in remote areas at or below that level.”

It’s understood that factors including Indigeneity, remoteness and low socioeconomic status have a correlation with lower performing scores, according to Dr Thomson.

The Guardian reports Australian boys and girls were roughly equal in their results, except in Year 4 maths, where boys outscored girls by a statistically significant margin.

I've worked in Australian higher ed for 13 years and worked on skill reports etc. Kazakhstan having better education is non-controversial.

— local boy made good (@christianmccrea) November 29, 2016

Federal education minister Simon Birmingham said despite significant funding growth in Australian education, we aren’t seeing improvements in student outcomes.

Labor Deputy leader and education spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek said the results showed exactly why “needs-based funding” was introduced under the Labor party. “They show poor kids in poor schools need extra help to get better results,” she insisted.

The results will add fuel to the fire as the Turnbull government and Labor square off about whether the fifth and sixth years of Gonski funding will be delivered.

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