Leading education expert Geoff Masters has defended his call for a national minimum set of learning standards for students.
Professor Masters says many students complete 13 years of school without meeting basic levels of maths, literacy and numeracy.
The Education Department argues that students are subjected to a number of standardised tests.
But Professor Masters has told 2GB’s Chris Smith, 14 percent of Australian students in Year 10 are ranked below the OECD baseline in reading, numeracy and scientific literacy.
“And the OECD says students below the baseline will be at risk once they leave school and enter the workforce,” he said.
“They actually won’t have the skills that they require.”
But Dr John Bennett from the NSW Board of Studies says standardised testing is already used effectively to make sure skill levels are up to scratch.
“Students’ achievement is reported at different standards, which clearly shows whether students have done very well or haven’t done so well,” he told LIVENEWS.com.au.
“And schools then can use that information to help students improve.”
