Young Australians are the only age group whose thinking scores are falling

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-10-01T13:26:39.147Z • Permanent link

A recent report from the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) has sent shockwaves through the education sector, revealing that young Australians are the only age group whose thinking scores are falling. This disturbing trend has been documented over several years, with the latest data showing a decline in reading, mathematics, and science literacy among 15- to 24-year-olds. The report's findings are based on the results of a comprehensive assessment of students from over 70 countries, and they paint a concerning picture of the state of education in Australia.

At the heart of this issue is the Australian government's decision to reduce funding for schools in disadvantaged areas. The cuts, which were implemented in 2014, have been widely criticized for exacerbating existing inequalities and limiting access to quality education for disadvantaged students. One of the key proponents of this policy was former Education Minister, Christopher Pyne, who argued that the funding reductions would not significantly impact the overall quality of education. However, the PISA report suggests that this approach has had a profound impact on student outcomes, with students from lower-income backgrounds struggling to keep pace with their peers from more affluent backgrounds.

Researchers at the University of Melbourne have been studying the impact of these funding reductions on student outcomes, and their findings are stark. The study, which was published in the Journal of Education Policy, found that schools in disadvantaged areas were more likely to experience teacher shortages, inadequate resources, and high levels of student mobility. These factors, in turn, have contributed to a decline in student achievement and a narrowing of the achievement gap. The study's lead author, Dr. Catherine Cox, argued that the government's decision to reduce funding for schools in disadvantaged areas has had a disproportionate impact on these students, who already face significant barriers to accessing quality education.

The decline in thinking scores among young Australians has significant implications for the education sector and the broader economy. Research communities, policymakers, and companies are all taking notice, and the fallout is already being felt. The Australian government's education policy has been widely criticized, and there are calls for a rethink of the current approach. The education sector is also facing significant challenges, with many schools struggling to recruit and retain high-quality teachers, particularly in disadvantaged areas.

Major companies, such as IBM and Microsoft, have already begun to take notice of the issue, with both firms announcing plans to increase their investment in education and training programs. IBM, for example, has pledged to spend $1 billion on education and training programs over the next five years, while Microsoft has announced plans to invest $100 million in education initiatives. These investments are aimed at addressing the skills gap in the workforce, which is expected to worsen as automation and artificial intelligence continue to transform the economy.

This decline in thinking scores among young Australians is part of a larger pattern of declining education outcomes in developed economies. Research has shown that countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom are also experiencing declines in student achievement, particularly among disadvantaged students. This trend is being driven by a range of factors, including changes in education policy, shifts in the global economy, and the increasing use of technology in the classroom.