PISA 2000 - A Scottish analysis
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)
was set up by the OECD to assess the performance of 15-year-olds in
reading literacy in its member countries. Pisa data for Scotland indicates
that 15-year olds reported reading the following when reading for enjoyment:
| |
Never or hardly ever |
Up to once a month |
At least several times a month |
| Magazines |
4% |
27% |
69% |
| Comics |
67% |
25% |
8% |
| Fiction |
27% |
44% |
29% |
| Non-fiction |
32% |
49% |
19% |
| Emails & webpages |
34% |
22% |
45% |
| Newspapers |
6% |
15% |
80% |
From Scottish Executive (2004)
Overall, those reading a large amount of fiction ended
to score highest in the reading tests. Pupils reading non-fiction or
reading from the internet also tended to perform above average; only
reading of comics failed to have a positive relationship with reading
scores.
This survey also indicates that 30% of 15-year-olds reported
reading for up to 30 min a day for pleasure, 22% read for between 30
and 60 min a day for pleasure, 11% read for between 1 and 2 hours, and
3% reported reading for more than 2 hours a day for pleasure. Those
15-year-olds who never or hardly ever read for pleasure tened to have
the lowest reading literacy.
Scottish Executive (2004). Programme for International
Student Assessment 2000 - Scotland Analysis. Edinburgh: The Scottish
Executive Education Department.
Download this report from: www.scotland.gov.uk.
Most and least enjoyed books -
Survey of young people aged 11-18
914 11-18 year olds attending state and independent schools
and 6th form colleges across England and Wales participated in this
survey by MORI for the Nestle Family Monitor (No 17). As part of the
survey on attitudes towards reading, young people were asked about the
types of book that they like and dislike the most.
| |
Most enjoyable
|
Least enjoyable
|
| Fantasy fiction |
43%
|
10%
|
| Humour |
40%
|
4%
|
| Horror/thriller books |
38%
|
5%
|
| Biographies/autobiographies |
24%
|
23%
|
| Books about TV programmes |
23%
|
16%
|
| Sports books |
23%
|
13%
|
| Crime/detective novels |
20%
|
8%
|
| Teenage fiction |
18%
|
12%
|
| Special interest/hobbies |
16%
|
4%
|
| Modern fiction |
12%
|
6%
|
| Romantic fiction |
12%
|
15%
|
| Science fiction |
10%
|
18%
|
| Classic novels |
9%
|
19%
|
| Religious texts |
5%
|
29%
|
| Shakespeare |
5%
|
26%
|
| Books about politics/current affairs |
4%
|
49%
|
| Cook books |
4%
|
28%
|
| Reference books |
4%
|
14%
|
| Travel books |
3%
|
18%
|
| Gardening books |
2%
|
38%
|
From: Nestle Family Monitor/MORI (2003)
This survey also reported substantial gender differences
in the types of books boys and girls found most enjoyable. Boys were
significantly more likely than girls to find sports books enjoyable,
with 39% of boys choosing thise type of book compared with just 6% of
girls. By contrast, girls were significantly more likely than boys to
enjoy books about TV programmes, such as Big Brother and Eastenders
(29% versus 16%).
In addition, this survey indicates significant age differences
in reading choice. Younger pupils (aged 11/12 years-old) were significantly
more likely than older pupils to choose fantasy fiction, horror books
and books about TV. Conversely, older students (aged 15+) were more
likely to select biographies/autobiographies, modern fiction and classics.
For more findings from this survey click here
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