The Local Sweden

How do Sweden's Pisa school results compare to other countries?

Tue, 03 Dec 2019 11:48:59 +0100

Sweden's schools have climbed back after a sharp drop in the global Pisa education ranking a few years ago, with results in mathematics, reading and science all above the OECD average.

What do the Pisa rankings really tell us about Swedish schools?

Tue, 03 Dec 2019 12:29:44 +0100

As Sweden receives high marks in this year's Pisa rankings, The Local takes a look at what this means for children attending Swedish schools.

Deregulation and freedom of choice have hurt Sweden's schools: Pisa head

Tue, 23 May 2017 11:10:09 +0200

Deregulation and freedom of choice have hurt Sweden's schools according to one of the people in charge of the global Pisa education ranking, but it is still possible for the country to turn things around and become a world leader in education, he believes.

What the Pisa rankings actually tell us about Swedish schools

Tue, 06 Dec 2016 16:11:28 +0100

The Local asked the experts what we can take from the improving performance of Swedish schools in international rankings.

Sweden recovers in global school rankings

Tue, 06 Dec 2016 12:14:05 +0100

Sweden's schools have showed signs of recovery in the latest edition of the global Pisa education ranking, with results in mathematics, reading and science now at or above the OECD average for all three subjects.

Swedes give low marks to pupils' performance

Mon, 05 Dec 2016 08:30:26 +0100

Less than a fourth believe that Swedish pupils learn what they need to in school, a new poll suggests.

'In Sweden no kid should ever be left behind'

Wed, 02 Nov 2016 16:55:00 +0100

The Local speaks to Sweden's education minister Gustav Fridolin on how the Swedish government hopes a new name for the autumn holidays will stop education in the country from faltering.

Foreign born students 'weaken' school results

Mon, 14 Mar 2016 15:12:34 +0100

Record immigration to Sweden has played a "small but not insignificant" role in national school test scores tumbling, according to Skolverket, the Swedish National Agency for Education.

Swedes are among 'most literate' people on the planet

Thu, 10 Mar 2016 11:14:17 +0100

Swedes have the fifth best literacy in the world and their Nordic neighbours are claiming the top four spots above them in a new ranking that follows years of research by US academics.

Sweden drops down innovation rankings

Mon, 21 Dec 2015 16:06:58 +0100

Swedish small and medium sized companies are lagging behind their competitors in Europe and further afield when it comes to innovation, according to a fresh report.

Should Sweden's school age be raised?

Tue, 30 Sep 2014 16:48:00 +0200

After the new coalition announced plans to extend Sweden's compulsory schooling until the age of 18, The Local asked two Swedes at high school if they agreed with the idea.

Swedish teachers feel least valued: OECD

Wed, 25 Jun 2014 14:02:00 +0200

Half of Swedish teachers would not choose the same profession if given the choice again, a new study revealed, and only five percent think their work is appreciated.

Swedish students 'too tired' for Pisa tests

Wed, 04 Jun 2014 11:23:18 +0200

After Sweden's students tumbled in the latest Pisa rankings, a new review suggests that due to a rigorous schedule of testing elsewhere, the students were too tired to care.

No wonder Swedish kids can't solve problems

Thu, 03 Apr 2014 10:17:00 +0200

As another dismal Pisa report leaves parents up in arms and policymakers fretting, The Local’s David Landes tells of a recent letter from a teacher that helps explain why Swedish students can’t solve problems.

Sweden tumbles again in Pisa school rankings

Tue, 01 Apr 2014 13:34:00 +0200

A new Pisa education report about children's problem solving abilities has seen Sweden drop below the OECD average again. Swedish kids scored the poorest marks among children in the Nordic countries.

'Swedish kids should be graded from age ten'

Mon, 24 Mar 2014 15:56:00 +0100

The Swedish government said on Monday that Swedish school children should be graded from year four when students are around ten years old, cutting the current grading norm by two years.

Education minister picks 'decorum commissioner'

Tue, 25 Feb 2014 16:16:00 +0100

Sweden's education minister on Tuesday said parents had to stop blaming teachers for their children's behaviour, and appointed a commission to get to grips with decorum.

Teacher salaries too low in Sweden: OECD

Tue, 18 Feb 2014 12:38:00 +0100

Teacher salaries in Sweden are lower than in countries with higher–performing schools, according to an extra OECD evaluation requested by the government on the heels of Sweden's dismal performance in the latest Pisa rankings.

Foreign experts to dissect Sweden's schools

Tue, 14 Jan 2014 13:47:00 +0100

The Swedish government is set to assemble a panel of foreign experts to get to grips with the ailing Swedish schools, the education minister announced on Tuesday.

'China teaches its kids to sit exams, Sweden its kids to think'

Mon, 16 Dec 2013 16:57:00 +0100

In an open letter to the Swedish education minister, Lund high schooler Saga Ringmar asks him not to fear China, despite Shanghai beating Sweden by 37 places on the recent Pisa ranking. Her test-loving school in Shanghai left her disillusioned and her kid sister depressed.