Educational Reforms and Their Impact

Systemic educational reforms can lead to significant improvements in student performance. Poland's 1999 education reform, which included delaying tracking and increasing school autonomy, resulted in a remarkable rise in PISA rankings. The average reading score of Polish fifteen-year-olds increased by twenty-nine points, equating to almost three-quarters of a school year of learning. Ripley notes, 'The expectations had gone up, and these kids had met them.' This example demonstrates that well-designed reforms, based on evidence and tailored to specific contexts, can drive educational success.