Hypothesis - Why Singapore consistently does better in PISA (Part 2)

                                                           

                                                     PISA reading Singapore vs Malaysia

A Twitter friend said the following:

Singapore's success in the PISA reading test can be attributed to several factors and effective teaching strategies. Here are some key aspects that contribute to Singapore's strong performance in reading:

Emphasis on Early Literacy: Singapore places a strong emphasis on early literacy development. Teachers focus on building a solid foundation in reading skills from the early years...

The other points he mentioned are general and common to most countries around the world.

 

The following is from the Singapore MOE.

Based on 2016 to 2019 data, about 3.5% of Primary 3 students were reported as having dyslexia.

The proportion of students with dyslexia in Singapore is within the international prevalence of between 3% and 10%. (4 Jan 2021)

Think about the percentage, 3.5%, for a moment before you proceed.

Now compare that with the following from the internet:

Dyslexia affects about 10–15% of primary school children in Malaysia which is similar to the prevalence rate of 10–15% of the population in the world.

The dyslexia proponents in the US and the UK claim that 20% of kids are dyslexic.

In Singapore, teachers focus on building a solid foundation in reading skills from the early years.

What that means is that the shutdown kids (the intelligent kids who question everything) are brought to grade level as stated in Dr. David Kilpatrick’s book Equipped for Reading Success. (Note: you will see my name in the acknowledgment pages of this book)

The Western world on the other hand says that kids are found to fall through the net in grade 4. Remediation starts when the kids are already in grade 4. Westerners have been brainwashed into believing that kids who are unable to read cannot be detected by the middle or end of grade 1.

Most of these kids who disengage/ shut down from learning to read are intelligent kids. In Singapore, they are brought to grade level and maintained at grade level from the foundation level. The pool of talents in Singapore is therefore wider. They take part in the PISA tests while those from the UK, the US, Australia, and Malaysia are waiting to leave school as functional illiterates.

The shutdown kids are being short-changed in the rest of the world other than in Singapore. A huge mentality shift around their education is long overdue.

If those interested in education want to narrow the gap between Singapore and the rest of the world they should find out what Singapore is doing to bring the shutdown kids to grade level at the foundation level.

Get rid of the causes why kids disengage from learning to read as explained in my book Shut Down Kids. (LINK)

Use my book Teach Your Child to Read to teach kids to read so that no kid is left behind.

For those outside Malaysia the book is available HERE. 

For those in Malaysia get a copy from me. LINK