OECD releases PISA global competence report

PISA defines global competence as ‘a multidimensional capacity that encompasses the ability to: examine issues of local, global and cultural significance; understand and appreciate the perspectives and worldviews of others; engage in open, appropriate and effective interactions across cultures; and take action for collective well-being and sustainable development’.

2018 marked the first time that PISA has measured global competence. The study involved an assessment of student knowledge and skills, and a questionnaire on student attitudes and values, and the contextual factors that exist to promote global competence.

ACER administered the global competence questionnaire in Australia on behalf of the OECD with funding from the Australian and state and territory governments. Australia did not participate in the assessment.

The OECD reports that Australian students had more positive attitudes towards immigrants than the OECD average, along with students from Albania, Canada, Ireland, Korea, New Zealand, Scotland, Spain and Chinese Taipei. The proportion of Australian students that speak two or more languages (38 per cent) was significantly below the OECD average (68 per cent).

Other factors measured by the questionnaire include:

• student interest in learning about other cultures
• student respect for people from other cultures
• student awareness of intercultural communication
• students agency regarding global issues

ACER will publish an analysis of Australian students’ responses to the global competence questionnaire in 2021. ■

Read the full report:
PISA 2018 Results (Volume VI): Are Students Ready to Thrive in an Interconnected World?, OECD, Paris 2020