«Trust your experience and critical spirit, don't believe in the absurd», suggests Nuno Crato, who was Portugal's Minister of Education and Science.

During the period 2001-2015, Portugal implemented a series of educational reforms that had a significant impact on student outcomes. Some of the key aspects of this transformation include:

Challenging curriculum: Special emphasis was placed on strengthening the core areas of language and mathematics. This translated into greater depth of content and increased learning expectations for students.

External evaluations: We increased the number and frequency of external evaluations to measure student progress and the effectiveness of educational policies. These evaluations made it possible to identify areas for improvement and adjust pedagogical strategies.

Support for students with difficulties: Additional programs and resources were implemented to provide support for students with learning difficulties. The goal was to ensure that all students had an equal opportunity to succeed.

The results: Unprecedented success

Thanks to these reforms, Portugal achieved historic educational results. Portuguese students obtained the best scores in the PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) assessments in the entire historical series. This positioned Portugal as one of the leading countries in education internationally.

What were the reasons for this success?

Political leadership: The Minister of Education at the time, Nuno Crato, played a key role in implementing these reforms and building political consensus around the importance of quality education.

Emphasis on the basics: By focusing on the fundamental areas of language and mathematics, the foundations were laid for solid and lasting learning.

Higher standards: Increased expectations and external assessments motivated students and teachers to work harder.

Equity: Support programs for struggling students helped to reduce educational inequalities and ensure that all students had equal opportunities. jugó un papel fundamental en la implementación de estas reformas y en la creación de un consenso político en torno a la importancia de la educación de calidad.

Lessons learned

Portugal's experience during this period offers valuable lessons for other countries seeking to improve their education systems. Some of these lessons include:

The importance of a strong and demanding curriculum: A well-designed curriculum is critical to ensure that students acquire the knowledge and skills needed to function in the 21st century.

The need for external assessments: External assessments provide valuable information to make informed education policy decisions.

The key role of political leadership: Strong leadership committed to education is essential to drive educational reforms.

The importance of equity: Ensuring that all students have an equal opportunity to succeed, regardless of their socioeconomic background, is critical.