Teenagers in Ireland are achieving significantly lower scores in reading and maths than they were a decade ago, according to international research.<\/p>\n
This trend of decline, particularly in reading, is seen across almost 100 countries. <\/p>\n
Researchers described the findings as a \u201csobering\u201d new data set. <\/p>\n
Students are less able to read carefully and with sustained attention than ever before, according to the latest report of the Pisa (Programme for International Student Assessment) rankings. The programme is run by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD<\/a>). The report notes the impacts of \u201cincreased digitalisation\u201d and \u201clonger screen time\u201d on participants. <\/p>\n The survey, which is carried out every three years, saw about 750,000 15-year-old students<\/a> across 91 countries undertake standardised tests to assess their ability in the areas of science, reading, maths and digital learning.<\/p>\n Just over 6,000 students in Ireland, across 172 schools<\/a>, were assessed between March and April of last year. In the Irish student assessments, average reading scores fell from 521 in 2015 to 500 last year, while maths scores fell from 504 to 480 in the same period. In science, scores remained relatively stable, falling from 503 to 500 over the decade. <\/p>\n This decline in reading and maths scores was also seen globally, with average reading scores across all OECD countries dropping by 28 points. For maths, the average drop was 22 points. <\/p>\n The OECD said it was \u201cparticularly concerning\u201d that the sharpest decline was recorded in reading. It based its concerns on an assertion that \u201creading skills underpin learning across the curriculum and are essential for finding, evaluating, interpreting and reflecting on information in an increasingly digital world\u201d.<\/p>\n The OECD said these developments are \u201cpart of a longer-term trend\u201d. <\/p>\n