During the debate held on Thursday in the regional parliament, Susín linked this development to the implementation of the LOMLOE education law and to the education policies pursued in recent years. The minister argues that Aragón has been losing ground since 2015, when it scored more than 500 points in all three competencies assessed by PISA and ranked among the leading autonomous communities.
MORE THAN HALF AT LOW READING AND MATHS LEVELS
One of the figures Susín has emphasized most is the concentration of students at the lower performance levels. According to the figures presented by the minister in the chamber, 55% of students in Aragón are at levels 1 and 2 in reading, while in mathematics the figure reaches 58%. Susín considers these results particularly concerning and has questioned how access to STEM degrees can be encouraged with this level of performance among 15-year-old students.
The minister has also focused on the loss of academic excellence and said that the report’s snapshot shows a shift of students toward the lower performance levels. Susín also criticized the promotion and assessment model introduced in recent years and argued that the education system must restore the value of effort and merit.
CHANGES IN TECHNOLOGY, SUPPORT AND CLASSROOM AUTHORITY
In response to these results, Susín has defended the need to introduce changes to the education system in the coming academic years. The issues she has raised include reinforcing knowledge, placing greater emphasis on academic effort, teachers’ authority and the impact that inappropriate use of new technologies can have on learning.
The minister recalled that Aragón has already removed individual-use screens from classrooms and defended a “reasonable” use of technology. In Susín’s view, the PISA results should prompt deep reflection among public authorities, political parties, families and teachers, while making improving student learning a priority.
