Ending School Failure Once and for All (Rebeca Argudo in El ABC)

The latest PISA report results, the worst in history for Spain, point to a possible decline in educational rigor and the prioritization of less demanding approaches.

## The Shocking PISA Report

The results of the **PISA** report from **2026** have been a cold shower for the Spanish education system. For the first time, Spain has registered its worst historical figures in all three assessed competencies: **Science**, **Reading**, and **Mathematics**. Our students rank significantly below the OECD average, occupying 28th place out of 38 participating countries. This generalized decline, affecting all areas, raises serious doubts about the effectiveness of the current educational model.

## What Lies Behind the Poor Grades?

The causes of this decline are complex and multifaceted. One hypothesis being discussed is a possible shift in the pedagogical approach, where enjoyment and reduction of frustration may have been prioritized over academic rigor. The idea that allowing students to take notes on exams, giving more time, or not penalizing incomplete subjects could have diminished students' capacity for effort and resilience is also mentioned.

## An Educational System Under Scrutiny

The results from Spain in the PISA report suggest that the education system may not be equipping students with the necessary competencies. The effectiveness of recent methodologies is being questioned, such as teaching mathematics through a gender perspective and socio-affective skills, the removal of core subjects like Philosophy, or how History is taught—by prioritizing themes over chronology. The possible devaluation of classic literature in favor of topics closer to the adolescent experience is also part of the debate. If the goal is to end school failure, perhaps the strategy has not been the most successful.