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The average score for students of SEK-Ciudalcampo and SEK-El Castillo, the two SEK schools taking part in the reading, mathematics and science tests in the PISA evaluation for Schools is significantly higher than the students from Spain as a whole and from OECD member countries.
The two schools have voluntarily taken the test, with a random sample of year four secondary students. The results have been better for reading, maths and science even taking into account socioeconomic and cultural index factors that the OECD applies to compare the scores of students based on their socioeconomic situation.
These tests aim to rank schools in relation to regional, national and international educational contexts, obtaining qualitative and quantitative data to know how to continue improving and tackling the educational transformation that society demands.
In mathematics, the average performance of SEK-Ciudalcampo and SEK-El Castillo students was 540 and 527 points respectively, significantly higher than the average performance obtained by Spanish students (481 points) and also above the average for the OECD countries in PISA 2018, with a score of 489, and well above the country with the best score in PISA 2018, Finland (507 points). Students at SEK International Schools were able to develop mathematical models and work with them in complex situations, identifying constraints and specifying underlying assumptions.
Reading levels among SEK-Ciudalcampo students was also significantly higher than the average for students from all over Spain in the PISA 2015 evaluation. They were also above the average for OECD countries in the case of SEK-El Castillo and SEK-Ciudalcampo, with 492 and 544 points, respectively. Students were able to critically assess unfamiliar text and formulate hypotheses based on them, using specialised knowledge and accommodating concepts that go against their initial expectations.
In the case of science, the average scored by SEK-El Castillo students was 511 points, above the average for Spain as a whole (483 points) and the average for OECD countries (489 points), a rating that SEK-Ciudalcampo has also exceeded, with 524 points. Both schools are above average for countries such as Germany and the United Kingdom. Students at SEK Schools thus demonstrated that they have sufficient science knowledge and skills to be able to apply them to various situations, including unfamiliar ones.
The report also revealed that in both SEK-El Castillo and SEK-Ciudalcampo there are hardly any underperforming students in the disciplines examined and that, on the contrary, the number of outstanding students in reading exceed 12% and 20%, respectively (6% on average in Spain), in mathematics 20% and 24%, respectively (7% on average in Spain) and in science 12% and 14%, respectively (4% on average in Spain).
From the data provided by SEK students, it appears that there is a close relationship between the atmosphere of discipline and the positive evolution of emotional skills (empathy, optimism, assertiveness, self-control, curiosity …). Students in general prefer order and control that create a pleasant environment where they can develop on a personal level.
The evaluation results also concluded that SEK student satisfaction is above average for Spain and other countries of the OECD. In addition, it significantly highlights the ability of teachers to adapt the structure of classes to ensure that all students understand the content.
The OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) has evaluated the quality, equity, and efficiency of education systems in over 80 countries and economies in the past 15 years. Through PISA, countries can compare and learn from each other so that they can improve their learning outcomes for rapid improvements.
Similar to the international PISA assessment, PISA for Schools measures the knowledge and skills in reading, mathematics and science in 15-year-old students. It also assesses their attitudes towards learning and the school and its learning environment. Importantly, PISA measures not only whether students can reproduce what they have learned, but how well students can extrapolate what they know and apply that knowledge creatively in new contexts. Through the use of this tool, the performance of an individual school can be compared globally in an innovative way.
