The reading comprehension of Icelandic 15-year-old students has improved significantly between PISA studies conducted in 2006 and 2009. Iceland now scores 500 points on average and places 11th among the 68 OECD participant countries.
Photo by Páll Stefánsson.
Iceland is above the OECD average of 494 points, Morgunbladid reports.
In 2006, Iceland placed 16th in terms of reading abilities. The PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) study is conducted every three years to assess the comprehension abilities of 15-year olds in reading, mathematics and natural sciences.
The performance of Icelandic students in the other two subjects is similar as in previous studies; Iceland places 11th to 13th in math and 20th to 25th in natural sciences. Last year was the fourth time the study was conducted.
The Education Evaluation Institution is responsible for conducting the PISA study in Iceland. Its director, Júlíus Björnsson, said there are many explanations for the improvement in reading.
One of the reasons is that after the 2006 results were announced, schools around the country used them to improve their teaching. Schools in Reykjavík have been especially effective in this undertaking, Björnsson stated.
Click here to read more about the 2006 PISA study.
