Finland and PISA
This site contains information about the PISA review and about results obtained by Finland in
different years.
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is an internationally standardised
assessment which produces information within an international frame of reference about education,
learning outcomes and informal learning. The most recent results of the assessment, the results
attained, in 2009 were released on 7 December 2010.
PISA assesses the learning outcome of students aged 15 in mathematics, science and reading
literacy. PISA assesses to what extent students have acquired knowledge and skills that are
essential for full participation in society and the variation in these skills over time. The
students participating in the assessment are chosen by random sampling.
PISA also gauges attitudes to learning and learning skills. Questionnaires to students and
schools gauge learning environments at home and at school, the students' social background and the
support they receive in learning, and students' attitudes to school and learning.
The subjects in the assessment vary. The earlier assessments focused on the following
subjects:
- PISA 2009: reading
- PISA 2006: science
- PISA 2003: mathematics
- PISA 2000: reading
In 2009, 65 countries/economies participated in the PISA assessment, 33 of which were OECD
members. Finland's participation is financed by the Ministry of Education and Culture, which also
nominates Finland's representative on the PISA Governing Board.
For more information:
Ministry of Education and Culture
Director Eeva-Riitta Pirhonen, tel. +358 (0)9 160 77268
Senior Advisor Tommi Karjalainen, tel. +358 (0)9 160 77325
Finnish Institute for Educational Research (University of Jyväskylä)
Professor Jouni Välijärvi, National PISA Coordinator, tel. +358 (0)50 567 7210,
pisafin@jyu.fi
Senior researcher Sari Sulkunen, PISA reading literacy assessment, tel. +358 (0)40 762 9559,
pisafin@jyu.fi