Australian schools get poor grades from international studies
Australian Broadcasting Corporation  Broadcast: 12/12/2012
Reporter: Heather Ewart  Australian ranks 27 of 48 countries in
reading and our maths and science performance hasn't lifted
since 1995, according to two international studies, providing a
'wake-up call' according to Education Minister Peter Garrett.
CHRIS UHLMANN, PRESENTER: Australia's been told that it must do
better in class. An international test has found our schools lag
well behind the world leaders in reading, maths and science.
We're ranked 27th, on par with Eastern European nations.  The
Federal Government's using the bad report card to push its
education reform plan, but some experts say the results are open
to interpretation.  National affairs correspondent Heather Ewart
reports.  PETER GARRETT, MINISTER FOR SCHOOL EDUCATION:
Australian students are either flatlining, they're going
backwards in some instances or not going forwards as quickly as
we need them to do.  GEOFF MAS