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OECD: Welsh government lacks education 'long-term vision' OECD: Welsh government lacks education 'long-term vision'
(about 1 hour later)
A major review of the schools system in Wales says the Welsh government lacks a long-term vision for education and does not do enough to support teachers.A major review of the schools system in Wales says the Welsh government lacks a long-term vision for education and does not do enough to support teachers.
The Welsh government asked the worldwide Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to conduct the review in 2012.The Welsh government asked the worldwide Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to conduct the review in 2012.
The report praised "positive" learning conditions but found many weaknesses.The report praised "positive" learning conditions but found many weaknesses.
Education Minister Huw Lewis said a reform programme was already tackling the issues raised.
The most recent Pisa international education tests, which are run by the OECD, ranked Wales bottom in the UK.The most recent Pisa international education tests, which are run by the OECD, ranked Wales bottom in the UK.
Those 2012 Pisa tests in science, maths, and reading were taken by 500,000 15-year-olds in 68 countries.Those 2012 Pisa tests in science, maths, and reading were taken by 500,000 15-year-olds in 68 countries.
The OECD review said: "From an international perspective, the performance of 15-year-olds in Wales on Pisa is low overall, and there are too many students performing at low levels.The OECD review said: "From an international perspective, the performance of 15-year-olds in Wales on Pisa is low overall, and there are too many students performing at low levels.
"The Pisa 2012 reading and science assessments showed that almost one in five Welsh students did not achieve level two which is considered the baseline of proficiency at which students begin to demonstrate competencies to actively participate in life."The Pisa 2012 reading and science assessments showed that almost one in five Welsh students did not achieve level two which is considered the baseline of proficiency at which students begin to demonstrate competencies to actively participate in life.
"For mathematics this proportion was even higher, almost 30%. These levels are among the lowest in OECD countries.""For mathematics this proportion was even higher, almost 30%. These levels are among the lowest in OECD countries."
But the report said that schools in Wales offered positive learning environments with good teacher-student relations and classrooms conducive to learning.But the report said that schools in Wales offered positive learning environments with good teacher-student relations and classrooms conducive to learning.
It also praised Welsh schools because they "do well when it comes to minimising the gender difference in student performance", adding that Pisa showed there were "relatively small differences in student performance between boys and girls in Wales".It also praised Welsh schools because they "do well when it comes to minimising the gender difference in student performance", adding that Pisa showed there were "relatively small differences in student performance between boys and girls in Wales".
Following disappointing Pisa tests in 2009 the Welsh government embarked on a series of changes to raise standards and performance.Following disappointing Pisa tests in 2009 the Welsh government embarked on a series of changes to raise standards and performance.
Several reforms followed including the introduction of the national literacy and numeracy framework for five to 14-year-olds in September 2012, which a year later became a statutory part of the national curriculum.Several reforms followed including the introduction of the national literacy and numeracy framework for five to 14-year-olds in September 2012, which a year later became a statutory part of the national curriculum.
Statutory reading and numeracy tests for pupils in years two to nine were introduced in May last year.Statutory reading and numeracy tests for pupils in years two to nine were introduced in May last year.
Pace of reformPace of reform
But, according to the report, the Welsh government had tried to do too much too soon.But, according to the report, the Welsh government had tried to do too much too soon.
It said: "The pace of reform has been high and lacks a long-term vision, an adequate school improvement infrastructure and a clear implementation strategy all stakeholders share."It said: "The pace of reform has been high and lacks a long-term vision, an adequate school improvement infrastructure and a clear implementation strategy all stakeholders share."
It added that the Welsh government had a "lack of long-term clarity in policy making with weak implementation approaches, and an overarching challenge is that Wales lacks a compelling and inclusive long-term education vision to steer the education system and its reform efforts".It added that the Welsh government had a "lack of long-term clarity in policy making with weak implementation approaches, and an overarching challenge is that Wales lacks a compelling and inclusive long-term education vision to steer the education system and its reform efforts".
One of the most controversial reforms by the Welsh government is school banding, introduced in 2011.One of the most controversial reforms by the Welsh government is school banding, introduced in 2011.
Teaching unions have argued it does not reflect what is happening in schools and that the requirements change from year to year.Teaching unions have argued it does not reflect what is happening in schools and that the requirements change from year to year.
The report largely agreed with that, adding that the Welsh government should: "Consider making the school banding calculation method more transparent, reducing the frequency with which schools are banded and judging schools on mutually agreed criteria for quality."The report largely agreed with that, adding that the Welsh government should: "Consider making the school banding calculation method more transparent, reducing the frequency with which schools are banded and judging schools on mutually agreed criteria for quality."
The report also criticised the standards of teachers in Wales, and the lack of options for career progression and professional development for teachers and head teachers.The report also criticised the standards of teachers in Wales, and the lack of options for career progression and professional development for teachers and head teachers.
It said: "There is no established leadership development programme for serving or aspiring school leaders and there is a lack of clear pathways for teachers with potential to become school leaders."It said: "There is no established leadership development programme for serving or aspiring school leaders and there is a lack of clear pathways for teachers with potential to become school leaders."
According to the report, teaching as a profession needed to be held in much higher regard, echoing comments made by Education Minister Huw Lewis.According to the report, teaching as a profession needed to be held in much higher regard, echoing comments made by Education Minister Huw Lewis.
But it said schools in Wales found it difficult to recruit high-calibre teachers, which may be a result of the standard of applicants on teacher training courses.But it said schools in Wales found it difficult to recruit high-calibre teachers, which may be a result of the standard of applicants on teacher training courses.
Successive Welsh education ministers have made attempts to place more emphasis on tackling the link between poverty and low educational achievements.Successive Welsh education ministers have made attempts to place more emphasis on tackling the link between poverty and low educational achievements.
There are several schemes which aim to raise the attainment of pupils from the poorest families, such as the pupil deprivation grant, but the report claimed the system was too complex.There are several schemes which aim to raise the attainment of pupils from the poorest families, such as the pupil deprivation grant, but the report claimed the system was too complex.
It recommended that the Welsh government reduced the "complexity of funding arrangements" for the support of disadvantaged students and moved towards "simple, financially stable and efficient mechanisms".It recommended that the Welsh government reduced the "complexity of funding arrangements" for the support of disadvantaged students and moved towards "simple, financially stable and efficient mechanisms".
Responding to the findings, Mr Lewis said he personally wanted to thank the OECD for "this comprehensive and exacting report". Responding to the findings, Mr Lewis told BBC Radio Wales a reform programme was already "tackling" and "grappling" with the issues.
"It's important if you want to be the best that you learn from the best," he said. "We also need to think about the medium and the long term and that's why later on this spring, for instance, I will be making further announcements around our support programme concerning training for teachers," he said.
"I welcome the report's findings and am heartened that we're already doing much of what has been recommended as part of our reform of education standards in Wales. It's good to see that the direction of travel we've set is the right one." "I'm very concerned that we have the proper support network around the professionals that are delivering at the sharp end, and I want to make sure they're getting everything that they need."
He said he was particularly encouraged by the report's finding that schools in Wales were "positive learning environments with good teacher-student relations and classrooms conducive to learning". Mr Lewis said the report was "comprehensive and exacting" and thanked the OECD for its work.
He said he accepted the report's calls for improvements to teacher training, better school leadership and raising the esteem in which teachers are held. "What the report tells me very clearly is that there is a shared vision in Wales in the direction of travel in terms of school reform and a shared commitment as well to the sense of urgency in terms of the reforms that we need to implement," he added.
'Knee-jerk''Knee-jerk'
He added: "My overall goal for education in Wales is simple. I want to make sure that every child and young person has a world-class education and can then go on and compete within the global market. Anything less than this is simply unacceptable."
The minister will attend the OECD's education policy committee meeting in Paris to discuss the report's findings at the end of the week.The minister will attend the OECD's education policy committee meeting in Paris to discuss the report's findings at the end of the week.
The National Union of Teachers in Wales said it would need time to digest the report but added: "The sector has to be given better support in delivering new initiatives and those new initiatives have to be less knee-jerk in their formation.The National Union of Teachers in Wales said it would need time to digest the report but added: "The sector has to be given better support in delivering new initiatives and those new initiatives have to be less knee-jerk in their formation.
"In fairness these are points I believe the education minister did identify in his reform, rigour and respect speech last year. What we must see now is action to address these concerns." "In fairness, these are points I believe the education minister did identify in his reform, rigour and respect speech last year. What we must see now is action to address these concerns."
Dr Philip Dixon, of the ATL Cymru union, said the report should make uneasy reading for the Welsh government.Dr Philip Dixon, of the ATL Cymru union, said the report should make uneasy reading for the Welsh government.
But Dr Christopher Howard, acting head of NAHT Cymru, said it was one of the most "honest, objective, rounded and helpful reports that have been made into the system in Wales in the last few years".But Dr Christopher Howard, acting head of NAHT Cymru, said it was one of the most "honest, objective, rounded and helpful reports that have been made into the system in Wales in the last few years".