The Sociedade Portuguesa de Matemática (SPM), Portugal's mathematics society, proposed on Sunday the creation of coherent curricular programmes, curricular targets that guarantee real progression for pupils, and turning the country's ModA tests into exams that count toward students' final grades.
The proposals were set out in a statement on the results of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which SPM described as the largest international study of education, carried out by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The results were released last Tuesday, and SPM said it was concerned about the poor performance they showed.
PISA tests the reading, mathematics and science skills of 15-year-old students in dozens of countries and is run every three years to allow international comparisons.
Scores back to 2003 levels
According to the data, 15-year-olds assessed last year performed worse again in mathematics, reading and science, deepening a downward trend that reversed earlier gains and pushed results back to levels last seen in 2003. Students who sat the tests last year scored an average of 460 points in mathematics.
Three proposals for reform
In its statement, SPM set out three specific measures it wants adopted:
- coherent curricular programmes across school years
- curricular targets that ensure genuine progression for pupils
- turning ModA tests into exams that count toward students' classification
Wider dispute over exams
The proposals follow a broader dispute between SPM and exam authorities over recent national mathematics tests.
SPM had earlier said it detected an error in the second-phase mathematics exam.
The society also separately questioned the rigour and fairness of the Mathematics A exam.
The exams body EduQA contradicted SPM, rejecting the society's claim that the Mathematics A exam contained an error.
Other reporting found that grades had fallen and that a majority of ninth-grade students failed their mathematics test.
