"A fairly significant drop in ten years": France's school results among the lowest ever recorded, according to the Pisa survey
According to the PISA 2025 results released this Tuesday, French students have achieved their lowest scores ever recorded in mathematics, reading comprehension, and science. The report highlights a significant decline over ten years, with scores dropping by 40 points in both reading comprehension and mathematics between 2015 and 2025. This decline is described as equivalent to two years of learning loss. Even privileged students have experienced a notable drop in performance, with those from more advantaged families losing 50 points in reading comprehension and 28 points in mathematics over the same period. In 2023, the PISA report had already noted an unprecedented decline in mathematics performance, placing France at 23rd globally. While girls still outperform boys in reading, the gap has narrowed in mathematics but widened in reading comprehension, with girls scoring 32 points higher than boys. Despite these declines, French students performed close to the OECD average overall, though fewer reached high levels of achievement compared to other countries like China.
The latest results from the OECD's Pisa 2025 assessment reveal that France has reached its lowest level in over two decades, with declining reading comprehension and mathematical skills among 15-year-olds. Published on September 8, 2026, the findings show a global decline in students’ ability to read and understand, with France ranking 34th in mathematics and 28th in reading comprehension, both positions representing their worst scores since the assessments began in 2000. The Pisa 2025 report highlights a dramatic drop in academic performance worldwide, particularly in reading comprehension, which has fallen by more than 20 points in many countries. In France, the decline is even sharper, with reading comprehension scores dropping by 18 points compared to 2022, and mathematics scores falling by 16 points. These declines have been consistent over the past decade, with some regions experiencing drops of up to 38 points in key subjects. The report attributes this trend to several factors, including increased screen time, reduced interest in reading, and changes in how students engage with schoolwork, especially after the pandemic. Social media and artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT have become integral parts of students’ lives, potentially affecting their focus and learning habits. Additionally, there is evidence of a growing gap between students who receive adequate parental support and those who do not, with the latter group showing more pronounced declines. French education minister Édouard Geffray described the results as “preoccupating” but not entirely unexpected. He noted that while France remains within the average range of OECD countries, its scores are steadily decreasing. According to Geffray, the country’s educational system faces challenges in balancing pedagogical innovation with institutional autonomy. He emphasized the need for a renewed focus on teacher training and curriculum development, suggesting that reforms should prioritize both student well-being and academic achievement. Political figures, including presidential candidates, have reacted strongly to the findings. Some have called for immediate action, such as reducing class sizes, increasing teacher salaries, and implementing stricter literacy programs. Others have criticized current policies, arguing that they have contributed to the decline in educational standards. For example, former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal argued that the government’s approach to education has led to a loss of authority in classrooms, while others, like Jordan Bardella of the National Rally, have proposed stricter methods of teaching reading and greater emphasis on core knowledge. Parents’ involvement in children’s education has also declined, according to the report. Only 34% of French parents regularly ask their children about difficulties at school, down from higher percentages in previous years. This lack of parental engagement could exacerbate existing educational disparities, particularly among disadvantaged students. The report also notes that gender gaps persist, with girls generally performing better in reading than boys, though the difference has narrowed slightly. However, boys still lag behind in reading comprehension by nearly 32 points. This disparity raises concerns about the effectiveness of current teaching strategies in addressing diverse learning needs. In terms of international comparisons, Asian countries such as China’s provinces of Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang, along with Singapore, maintain top rankings in science and mathematics. Meanwhile, the overall performance of OECD countries has hit its lowest recorded level, with reading comprehension being the most affected area. Experts warn that these trends could have long-term implications for future workforce readiness and societal cohesion. While France remains above the OECD average, the pace of decline suggests that urgent intervention is needed to reverse the trend. The upcoming election has already sparked political debates over how best to address the crisis, with proposals ranging from increased funding for schools to structural reforms in teacher training and classroom management. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the challenge facing French education is both complex and critical.
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The editorial from La Croix discusses the results of the PISA rankings, highlighting the declining academic performance of French students in mathematics and reading comprehension. It emphasizes that this decline is part of a broader trend, with a third of students lacking basic skills. The piece criticizes the lack of parental interest in their children’s education and suggests that the drop in standards is not due to improved conditions for disadvantaged students but rather the worsening performance of more privileged students. The article calls for practical educational solutions over ideological debates and notes that while politicians propose various ideas, there is uncertainty about whether voters prioritize education. It concludes by stressing that education is crucial for evaluating a generation.
Bias read (Center): While the article presents concerns about the state of French education, it does not take a clear partisan stance. It critiques both political ideologies and educational systems without overtly aligning with either left or right-wing perspectives. The tone remains balanced, focusing on factual data,
The French education system has seen a decline in student performance according to the latest PISA results, which were published this week. The report, conducted by the OECD, evaluates students' skills in mathematics, reading comprehension, and scientific literacy at age 15. France remains within the average of 37 OECD countries but has dropped from 28th to 27th place out of 91 territories. Over twenty years, scores have fallen significantly, with a 16-point drop in math and 18 in reading. Minister Édouard Geffray called the results 'preoccupating,' though not entirely unexpected. The study highlights growing social inequalities, with students from disadvantaged backgrounds performing worse, particularly those in vocational tracks. Gender disparities persist, especially in math. Researchers like Clémence Perronnet attribute the decline to factors such as increased class sizes, reduced resources for teachers, and changes in secondary school reforms. Parents' organizations also point to poor classroom conditions, including high temperatures during heatwaves.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the declining educational performance as a systemic issue rooted in structural problems rather than individual failure. It emphasizes social inequality and criticizes policies that have worsened conditions for students, aligning more with left-wing critiques of neoliberal reforms.
The article features Dr. Michel Desmurget, a neuroscience doctor, reacting to the latest results of the PISA 2025 report. He emphasizes the detrimental impact of screens on reading practice, which he views as essential for developing students' critical thinking abilities and their role as future citizens. The focus is on how declining reading skills could undermine the entire school system.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue of screen time affecting reading as a significant threat to educational systems, aligning with concerns often raised by progressive educators and policymakers who advocate for reduced digital screen exposure in favor of traditional literacy development. The emphasis on '
The latest results from the PISA 2025 study show that French students have reached their lowest levels ever in reading comprehension and mathematics, despite remaining above the OECD average. The Ministry of National Education has called this a 'concerning' development, labeling the middle school system as a major priority for the next five-year period. Compared to 2022, scores in science remained stable but dropped significantly in reading comprehension (-18 points) and mathematics (-16 points). The OECD notes that these drops equate to roughly one year of schooling. Minister Édouard Geffray described the findings as 'preoccupating but not surprising,' while experts highlight issues such as declining parental support and challenges in measuring the impact of frequent educational reforms.
Bias read (Center): While the article discusses concerns over education quality, which is a politically sensitive issue, it presents balanced perspectives by including both government statements and expert opinions. It does not overtly favor any particular political ideology or agenda, thus maintaining a center-aligned
The article features an interview with Éric Charbonnier, an OECD analyst, discussing the results of a large-scale study on the academic performance of 15-year-olds. The study highlights a decline in school performance, raising questions about changes in children’s lives. One potential factor mentioned is the increased use of screens. The piece focuses on analyzing possible causes behind the drop in educational outcomes.
Bias read (Progressive): The framing suggests a concern over screen time affecting education, which aligns with progressive concerns about technology's impact on youth development. While not explicitly political, the discussion ties into broader societal debates about education policy and child welfare, often associated với
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released the results of its PISA study on September 8, showing that France has been experiencing declining performance metrics. This revelation has sparked concern among politicians, particularly those on the right, who have expressed alarm over the findings.
Bias read (Conservative): The article highlights the reaction of politicians, especially those on the right, indicating a focus on their concerns and responses. The framing emphasizes the alarm felt by right-leaning politicians, suggesting a rightward lean in the coverage.
In a September 2026 op-ed published by *Marianne*, Natacha Polony criticizes the French education system, citing poor results from the PISA 2025 assessments. She highlights declining academic performance among French students compared to global standards and growing social inequalities in educational outcomes. Polony argues that the French education system, despite its large scale and public nature, is failing to deliver consistent quality and is increasingly vulnerable. She calls for moving beyond ideological disputes to focus on fundamental knowledge and universal success, suggesting a need for systemic reform.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the underperformance of the French education system as a crisis requiring urgent reform, aligning with progressive critiques of current policies. The emphasis on social inequality and the call for 'fundamental knowledge' reflect left-leaning priorities. While the author does not '
The article discusses Turkey's significant improvement in the PISA rankings in 2026, highlighting both its improved ranking position and higher student scores. It focuses on the country's educational advancements and suggests that these results reflect positive changes in the Turkish education system.
Bias read (Center): The article presents Turkey's educational achievements in a neutral tone, focusing on factual improvements without overtly praising or criticizing the government's policies. While the topic relates to national performance, the framing does not show clear ideological leaning.
The article discusses the latest PISA results released by the OECD, highlighting a significant decline in academic performance across many countries, including France. France ranks 34th in mathematics and 28th in reading comprehension, marking its lowest scores in over two decades. The report indicates a global regression in students' ability to read and understand texts, with students increasingly influenced by screens, social media, and AI tools like ChatGPT. While the article notes that this trend was already observed in previous PISA reports (2019 and 2023), it emphasizes the alarming nature of these findings.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the declining educational performance as a global crisis exacerbated by modern technology and digital habits, which aligns with left-leaning concerns about the negative impact of technology on education and societal values. It highlights systemic issues rather than attributing the
The French Ministry of National Education, led by Minister Édouard Geffray, has expressed concern over the results of the 2025 PISA tests, which show declining academic performance among French students compared to other OECD countries. While France remains within the OECD average, scores have dropped significantly in reading comprehension (-18 points), mathematics (-16 points), and science (-4 points) since 2022. Geffray described the results as 'preoccupating' but 'not a surprise,' attributing the decline to factors such as social media's impact on learning, reduced parental investment, and unclear educational objectives at the middle school level. He proposed reforms including greater autonomy for schools, improved teacher training, and clearer curriculum guidelines. The report highlights a global trend in education, suggesting that modern children are being educated differently, leading to historically low performance levels.
Bias read (Center): While the article presents concerns about declining student performance, it does not overtly favor any specific political ideology. The framing is balanced, presenting both the problem and potential solutions without leaning toward either left or right-wing policies. The minister’s comments are used
The latest OECD PISA results show a continued decline in French student performance, particularly in reading comprehension and mathematics, marking the lowest scores ever recorded among OECD countries. While France remains within the OECD average across all three tested subjects, science, reading, and math, the drop has been significant, with a 18-point decrease in reading and 16 in math since 2022. Notably, students from more privileged backgrounds have experienced a sharper decline, dropping 38 points in math compared to just 22 points for disadvantaged students. The report highlights broader concerns about cognitive processing challenges and declining attention spans among French students, suggesting systemic issues affecting even high-achieving pupils.
Bias read (Center): The article presents findings from the OECD PISA study without overtly criticizing specific political parties or policies. It focuses on statistical trends and expert commentary rather than taking a partisan stance. While the issue of education quality is politically sensitive, the framing remains客观
The latest PISA survey results, which assess the skills of 15-year-old students, were released today. They confirm a decline in French students' performance in mathematics. The findings highlight concerns about the educational system's ability to maintain high standards in this critical subject. This drop in rankings raises questions about the effectiveness of current teaching methods and curriculum design. The issue has sparked discussions among educators and policymakers regarding potential reforms.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual data from the PISA survey without overtly favoring any particular political stance. It highlights a decline in student performance but does not attribute blame to specific policies or parties. The tone remains neutral, focusing on the implications of the findings rather.
The French Ministry of National Education has expressed concern over the declining academic performance of French students in the 2025 PISA results, which show some of the lowest scores ever recorded in mathematics, reading comprehension, and science. Minister Édouard Geffray called the results 'preoccupating' but not unexpected, noting that while science scores remained stable, they fell significantly in reading comprehension and mathematics, widening the gap with OECD averages. He attributed these trends to factors such as social media's impact on education, reduced parental investment in schooling, and unclear learning objectives at the middle school level. Geffray outlined plans for educational reforms, including greater autonomy for schools, improved teacher training, and more transparent communication of educational goals to families.
Bias read (Center): While the article discusses concerns raised by a government minister regarding educational performance, it presents the issue as a matter of fact rather than taking a clear ideological stance. The framing remains balanced, focusing on data and proposed solutions without overtly criticizing specific左
The OECD has released results from the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), which evaluates the skills of 15-year-old students globally. In France, reading comprehension and mathematics scores among 15-year-olds have reached their lowest levels since 2000, comparable to other similar countries. The findings highlight persistent educational disparities between students from different social classes and gender inequalities within the French education system.
Bias read (Center): The article presents statistical data from the OECD, a reputable international organization, without overtly favoring any political perspective. It reports on educational performance and inequality issues in France, which are politically charged topics but are presented in a neutral manner based onP
The latest PISA survey, published on September 8, reveals that Asian countries such as China and Singapore continue to dominate global rankings in student performance across reading, mathematics, and science. However, the report highlights a concerning decline in average performance among OECD countries, particularly in reading skills, which the organization describes as 'particularly worrying.' While scientific results remain stable compared to 2015, OECD nations saw a drop of 22 points in mathematics and 28 points in reading over the past decade. In contrast, other education systems outside the OECD experienced smaller declines. The study attributes this trend to factors like increased screen time affecting reading habits, reduced interest in reading among youth, and changes in attitudes toward schooling post-pandemic. France remains in the middle of the OECD average, with scores slightly below those of Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, and Portugal.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual data from the PISA report without overtly favoring any political perspective. It reports on educational performance trends globally and within the OECD, noting declines but providing balanced context and explanations. There is no evident ideological framing or biased phr
The article discusses the results of the PISA 2025 OECD survey, which indicate that French students are falling behind in academic performance. Education Minister Edouard Geffray attributes this trend to a broader shift in educational practices, noting that children are heavily influenced by social networks. He calls for greater clarity with families regarding learning objectives in secondary education.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the minister’s concerns about educational outcomes without overtly criticizing or praising specific policies. It reports on his call for clearer communication with families but does not take a clear ideological stance. The framing remains balanced, focusing on the issue rather a
The article reports on the results of the PISA 2025 study, which show the lowest academic performance levels ever recorded in France. In science, reading comprehension, and mathematics, French students scored significantly lower compared to previous years, with drops of 43 and 35 points respectively over ten years. While France remains above the OECD average, the decline is part of a global trend, raising concerns about educational quality. The article notes that presidential candidates have already proposed various reforms, but warns against superficial measures and the risk of overwhelming an already strained education system. It highlights five key strategies identified by the Council of Economic Analysis to improve outcomes, referencing successful examples from other countries like the UK.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue as a national crisis requiring urgent reform, emphasizing the need for systemic changes such as increased teacher pay, smaller class sizes, and targeted support for struggling students. These proposals align with progressive educational policies. While it acknowledges a
The article reports that according to the PISA rankings, France has recorded 'the lowest results ever measured' in student performance. The headline emphasizes a significant decline in educational outcomes, suggesting a worsening trend in academic achievement across French students. The report highlights concerns over the quality of education and potential systemic issues within the French school system. However, the article does not provide specific data points, comparative analysis, or contextual information such as recent reforms or international comparisons.
Bias read (Progressive): The framing of the article suggests concern over declining educational standards, which aligns with a left-leaning perspective that often emphasizes social equity and systemic reform. The emphasis on 'lowest results ever measured' implies a narrative of crisis, potentially reflecting a critique of现行
According to the PISA 2025 results released this Tuesday, French students have achieved their lowest scores ever recorded in mathematics, reading comprehension, and science. The report highlights a significant decline over ten years, with scores dropping by 40 points in both reading comprehension and mathematics between 2015 and 2025. This decline is described as equivalent to two years of learning loss. Even privileged students have experienced a notable drop in performance, with those from more advantaged families losing 50 points in reading comprehension and 28 points in mathematics over the same period. In 2023, the PISA report had already noted an unprecedented decline in mathematics performance, placing France at 23rd globally. While girls still outperform boys in reading, the gap has narrowed in mathematics but widened in reading comprehension, with girls scoring 32 points higher than boys. Despite these declines, French students performed close to the OECD average overall, though fewer reached high levels of achievement compared to other countries like China.
Bias read (Center): The article presents data from the PISA 2025 survey, which is an international benchmark for educational performance. It quotes an OECD analyst and provides statistical comparisons across countries and demographics without overtly favoring any political perspective. The tone remains objective, using
The article reports on the results of the PISA 2025 survey, which indicates a continued decline in the academic performance of French students in both mathematics and reading comprehension. According to the findings, one-third of French students now fall below the minimum competency level in these subjects. This marks another instance of declining educational standards, as such reports have become routine with each PISA publication. The study involved over 760,000 students aged 15 from 91 OECD territories.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the findings of the PISA 2025 survey as a factual report, highlighting a trend rather than taking a specific ideological stance. While the issue of education quality is politically sensitive, the framing remains neutral, focusing on data and trends without overtly criticizing or
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