How Estonia delivers world class education, a conversation with Estonia’s Education Minister

Average student performance in reading and mathematics has sharply dropped in many countries, according to the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), while science performance is relatively stable. More than 760,000 15-year-old students took the PISA test last year in 91 countries and economies. Why have there been such large drops in performance? And how are digital technologies and artificial intelligence impacting the situation? In this episode of Top Class, OECD Director for Education and Skills Andreas Schleicher speaks to OECD Editor Duncan Crawford about the findings and the state of global education.

Across many education systems, schools are facing recruitment challenges, evolving career expectations, and increasingly diverse student needs. In response, more systems are opening doors to people with outside experience. In this episode of Top Class, OECD Editor Duncan Crawford explores the opportunities and challenges for second-career teachers. He is joined by Nicole Daley, a Biology Teacher at Boston’s John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics & Science, who previously worked as a public health worker for city and state level government, and Hilary Goldberg, Head of Theodor Herzl Primary School in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, who left teaching for a career in sales and management before returning to education and school leadership. They discuss their experience of becoming second-career teachers and what can be done to support this growing share of the workforce. If you want to learn more about this subject check out the OECD paper: https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/a-second-career-in-teaching_37722003-en.html

What makes a fair exam? It’s a question that has grown in significance as upper secondary certificates play an ever more pivotal role in students’ lives. They are a passport to higher education, training and employment at a time when institutions and employers are often choosing from larger pools of candidates than ever before.

What makes a great teacher? Beyond subject expertise, effective teaching depends on a strong understanding of how students learn, what motivates them and how to create classrooms where every learner can thrive. A new OECD report reveals significant differences between countries in teachers’ general pedagogical knowledge - the knowledge that helps teachers explain concepts clearly, anticipate misconceptions, engage students and support learning at a high level.

Working with young children can be a tough job, so what can be done to ensure staff want to stay in their jobs? This episode of Top Class delves into the world of creches, kindergartens and nurseries. While most early childhood education and care staff report high job satisfaction, around half don’t feel valued by society, according to the OECD’s TALIS Starting Strong survey. OECD Editor Duncan Crawford is joined by two experts to discuss workplace conditions, societal recognition and the policies that can strengthen staff retention in the sector. • Elizabeth Shuey, OECD analyst and co-author of the Starting Strong survey • Anne-Marie Brooks, Assistant Secretary at Ireland’s Department of Children, Disability and Equality