PISA 2025: France's Maths Scores Show No Improvement
Listen to the story
A new PISA report has revealed troubling results for French education. PISA is an international test that measures the skills of 15-year-old students in maths, reading, and science every few years.
According to the report, a French student in seconde (the first year of upper secondary school, around age 15) now has the same maths level as a student in quatrième (a lower year, around age 13) had back in 2012. This shows a serious drop in skills over more than a decade.
France has remained stuck in 27th place in the global ranking, showing no real improvement compared to previous years. Meanwhile, China has taken the top spot, with its students achieving the strongest results in maths worldwide.
The report also notes that maths scores have declined globally, meaning this is not only a problem for France but a wider international trend.
These results have sparked fresh debate in France about declinism, the idea that the country is falling behind and losing its place in the world. Some commentators argue the PISA results show France is not prepared for future challenges.
The discussion has become especially relevant because it comes at the same time as growing political debate ahead of France's next presidential election. Education and France's global standing are becoming key topics for politicians and voters alike.
Experts warn that if the trend continues, it could affect France's competitiveness and its students' opportunities in an increasingly technical and global job market.
Vocabulary6 words
- PISA
- an international test that checks students' skills in maths, reading, and science
- seconde
- a school year in France for 15-year-old students
- quatrième
- a school year in France for 13-year-old students
- ranking
- a list that shows countries from best to worst
- declinism
- the belief that a country is getting weaker or worse
- competitiveness
- how well a country can compete with others
Quiz
Answer key
1. It has dropped significantly 2. China 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A new PISA report has revealed troubling results for French _____. PISA is an international test that measures the skills of 15-year-old students in maths, reading, and science every few years.
According to the report, a French student in seconde now has the same maths level as a student in quatrième had back in _____. This shows a serious drop in skills over more than a decade.
France has remained stuck in _____ place in the global ranking, showing no real improvement compared to previous years.
Meanwhile, _____ has taken the top spot, with its students achieving the strongest results in maths worldwide.
The report also notes that maths scores have declined _____, meaning this is not only a problem for France.
These results have sparked fresh debate in France about _____, the idea that the country is falling behind and losing its place in the world.
The discussion has become especially relevant because it comes at the same time as growing political debate ahead of France's next presidential _____.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think students' maths skills might be declining over time?
- What could explain why maths scores are falling globally, not just in France?
- Do you think international rankings like PISA are a fair way to compare countries? Why or why not?
- How might weaker maths skills affect a country's future economy?