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| Pisa study: Scotland top of UK for maths and reading | Pisa study: Scotland top of UK for maths and reading |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Scotland scores ahead of other UK countries in core school subjects, according to a major world study. | Scotland scores ahead of other UK countries in core school subjects, according to a major world study. |
| The international survey of 15-year-olds puts Scotland above England, Wales and Northern Ireland for reading and maths. | The international survey of 15-year-olds puts Scotland above England, Wales and Northern Ireland for reading and maths. |
| But for science, Scotland was marked slightly behind England. | But for science, Scotland was marked slightly behind England. |
| The Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) ranks 65 countries. The UK was rated 26th for maths, 23rd for reading and 21st for science. | The Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) ranks 65 countries. The UK was rated 26th for maths, 23rd for reading and 21st for science. |
| It is the first time the UK average score has not been ranked in the top 20 in any subject. | |
| Scotland does not have its own ranking, but the survey compares the performance of countries which are part of larger states. | Scotland does not have its own ranking, but the survey compares the performance of countries which are part of larger states. |
| The research, based on 500,000 pupils around the world, is run by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), using a points system. | |
| For maths, Scotland scored 498 points, four higher than England, which was second in the UK. | For maths, Scotland scored 498 points, four higher than England, which was second in the UK. |
| For reading, the country scored 506 points, six higher than England. | For reading, the country scored 506 points, six higher than England. |
| Scotland scored 513 points for science, behind England, which scored 516. | Scotland scored 513 points for science, behind England, which scored 516. |
| Wales performs worst across the three subjects, the research shows. | Wales performs worst across the three subjects, the research shows. |
| The tables are based on data from 510,000 students across the participating countries in 2012. | The tables are based on data from 510,000 students across the participating countries in 2012. |
| China tops the league which is dominated by countries from the Far East. | China tops the league which is dominated by countries from the Far East. |
| The UK's average score for maths was 494 and in reading it was 499, broadly the same as the OECD averages for the subjects and putting the country on a par with nations such as the Czech Republic, France, and Norway. | |
| The OECD concluded that across all three subjects the UK's average performance in maths has remained unchanged since the Pisa tests in 2006 and 2009. | |
| The Scottish government said the "attainment gap" between the most advantaged and most disadvantaged pupils had narrowed for the first time. | |
| They also pointed out that the survey was conducted before the new Curriculum for Excellence was fully implemented. | |
| Learning Minister Alasdair Allan said: "Scottish school attainment remains strong, particularly in science and reading. | |
| "We are performing at least as well as a number of significant world economies across all three areas, reinforcing our international standing in education. | |
| "There is also clear evidence that the attainment gap is being addressed with a reduction in the variation in performance between those pupils classed as disadvantaged and those who aren't." |