Have Schools in England and Northern Ireland been letting children down?

Researchers at the University of Glasgow are beginning to look closely at data from the recently published Programme of International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). Adults between 16 and 65 (in 2011/2012) in 24 countries were tested on their numerical, text understanding, and problem solving skills in technology-rich environments. What is new in this analysis is that they can see the exact development over age, and some very specific points of change (see figure below). There is a general pattern in the pattern of performance in relation to age: Peak performance is reached in the late twenties, and declines from then on. This pattern is similar in all tested countries. It matches our general understanding of cognitive development in terms of learning and brain development, and later cognitive decline. But performance in the UK (England and Northern Ireland, as Scotland and Wales did not take part in PIAAC) shows some striking features.