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he Learning Curve 2014 report, published by Pearson, explores factors behind global performance shifts in global education league tables and the importance of 21st Century skills. The new Global Index of Cognitive Skills and Attainment, compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit, finds that:
  • South Korea, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong claim top spots in overall education ranking due to a ‘culture of accountability’ in which teachers, students and parents all take responsibility for education; and society values teachers and schools far more highly than in many other parts of the world.
  • Finland drops to 5th from 1st position mainly because of decreases in its reported reading, maths and science literacy.
  • The UK holds steady at 6th position due to improvement in its PISA and PIRLS test scores and a rise in its tertiary graduation rate. Canada and the Netherlands are also in the top ten.
  • Improving educational performance is going to be critical to all countries in sustaining economic growth.

The accompanying Learning Curve report, on the theme of skills, finds that:

  • All adults lose skills as they age, but they decline far more rapidly when not used regularly at work.
  • Skills only improve at a national level when governments, employers, schools, students and parents all prioritise them.