The Education Money Myth: A Data Analysis of 12 EU Nations Reveals Why Some Countries Get Top PISA Scores for Less.

Executive Summary

This analysis investigates the correlation between per-student education expenditure and student performance, as measured by average PISA 2022 scores, across 12 selected EU countries. Utilizing a framework based on the Sapir (2005) classification, the study groups nations into Nordic, Continental, and Southern blocs to compare systems with similar socio-economic structures, and traditions in education. The central research question is whether increased financial investment in education is associated with improved academic outcomes.

The study reveals a statistically significant, moderately strong positive correlation (r = 0.68) between spending and performance across the entire sample. This indicates that, overall, higher expenditure is associated with better PISA scores. The relationship is most pronounced in the Southern bloc (r = 0.72), where systems appear more sensitive to financial inputs, and weakest in the Continental group (r = 0.31), suggesting other factors may have a greater influence. The findings highlight that while Nordic countries generally pair high spending with high performance, outliers like Portugal and Poland achieve strong results on a modest budget, whereas France underperforms relative to its investment.

The analysis frames secondary school achievement as a crucial precursor to the production of tertiary-level STEM graduates, which is identified as a primary driver of economic innovation and growth. Consequently, the core policy recommendation is to prioritize increased investment in primary and secondary education, particularly within the Southern European countries where the link between funding and performance is strongest. The report concludes that while financial investment is a key lever for improvement in under-resourced systems, maximizing returns also requires a focus on spending efficiency and effective educational strategy to achieve the desired outcome of a larger pool of STEM graduates.

Introduction

The relationship between national investment in education and student performance remains at the heart of educational economics and policy reform in Europe. In particular, ongoing debates question whether increased financial inputs—measured as per-student expenditure—lead to improved educational outcomes, as captured by standardized assessments such as the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). 

This inquiry is especially salient within the European Union, where significant similarities exist but also disparities persist in both education spending and student achievement across geographic and economic blocs. We analyzed education spending and student Performance in a subset of countries in the EU, based on the Sapir's report of European socio-econonomic systems, and perform a correlational analysis using OECD's PISA 2022 data on the academic performance of 15-year olds.

Are We Teaching All Wrong? Frequency vs. Effectiveness and a Surprising Negative Correlation

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Executive Summary

This report provides a comparative analysis of the frequency and effectiveness of eight widely used pedagogical methods across global educational systems. Drawing on data from the World Bank EdStats, OECD Education at a Glance 2023, UNICEF Global Education Monitoring, and peer-reviewed literature, we examine the correlation between usage frequency and instructional effectiveness. 

The findings reveal a significant mismatch between the most frequently used methods (e.g., Direct Instruction) and the most effective ones (e.g., Collaborative and Inquiry-Based Learning). We present two correlation coefficients (Pearson and Spearman), identify statistically significant relationships, and recommend evidence-based shifts in instructional strategy to improve learning outcomes globally.

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Introduction

Education systems worldwide aim to optimize student learning through instructional strategies. However, there is often a disconnect between methods that are most commonly used and those that have been shown to be most effective. This report seeks to bridge that gap by comparing the frequency and empirical effectiveness of eight pedagogical methods across different regions. It also evaluates whether countries most heavily rely on the pedagogies that actually yield the highest learning gains, particularly in reading, math, and science.

From Horsepower to AI: How the Spirit of Bugatti Inspires a New Generation of Innovators in Ferrara

(qui sotto la versione in Italiano)

From Horsepower to AI: How the Spirit of Bugatti Inspires a New Generation of Innovators in Ferrara

There is a certain magic that lingers in the air of Ferrara. It’s a city of Renaissance walls and quiet canals, but beneath the cobblestones runs a current of audacious innovation—a history of believing in nascent genius. Here, at the Smiling International School, my colleague Mr. Arun and I often feel like we are tapping into that very current. In our "Robotics and Behaviour" club, a group of bright, ambitious students are not just learning about the future; they are building it, one line of code and one 3D-printed chassis at a time. They are prototyping their own self-driving vehicles.

What makes this project truly profound is not just the advanced technology they are grappling with, but the ghost of innovation that watches over them. For it was here, in this very city, in this same building almost exactly 125 years ago, that a young, visionary mechanic received the backing that would change the world of automobiles forever. His name was Ettore Bugatti.

Bugatti Gullinelli Prototype 2, 1901

A Legacy Forged in a Ferrara Stable

The turn of the 20th century was a time of immense technological ferment in Italy. The very concept of the internal combustion engine, while revolutionary, was not entirely new to the country. In fact, an Italian professor from the University of Padua, the Verona-native Eugenio Bernardi, had already patented his first petrol-fueled engine in 1882.¹ Petrol or gas fuelled engines still power 85% of cars. An invention, however, is one thing; a brilliantly engineered, commercially viable automobile is another. This is where the story pivots to Ferrara and the unique genius of Ettore Bugatti.

A Guide for Papua New Guinean Students Seeking Scholarships to Study Abroad

Navigating International Scholarships

Introduction

As the former Vice-Chancellor of the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (UNITECH), I remain passionate about helping students find opportunities to study abroad. I frequently receive requests for guidance, and this post aims to provide a clear, realistic starting point for your journey.

The dream of international study is achievable, but it requires dedication and thorough research from you, the applicant. This guide outlines the major scholarship pathways available. My goal is to help you focus your efforts, understand the landscape, and take ownership of your application process.

1. Traditional Partners: Australia and New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand have long-standing educational ties with Pacific Island nations and offer significant, well-established scholarship programs.

The Degree Dilemma: How AI Cheating & Stagnation Are Reshaping Higher Education and Careers

Bullet Point Summary:

• 🎓 Political Divide: College education levels are increasingly correlated with political affiliations, highlighting a societal schism (CNN, 2025).
• 🤖 AI & Cheating: Widespread use of AI for assignments (almost 90% of students) is devaluing traditional college work, with some students seeing tasks as "hackable" (Walsh, 2024; CNN, 2025).
• 🏛️ University Inertia: Academic institutions are struggling to adapt assessment methods, and AI detection tools are proving unreliable, leading to educator disillusionment (Walsh, 2024).
• 📉 Value Perception: The perceived value of college is declining, with high costs and questions about the relevance of traditional learning methods (Walsh, 2024; CNN, 2025).
• 💼 Job Market Transformation: AI is forcing a rethink of hiring practices, especially technical interviews, as tools emerge that can "cheat" traditional assessments (Walsh, 2024; Hard Fork, 2025).
• 🛠️ Trades on the Rise: Skilled trades offer a viable, debt-free alternative with high demand and earning potential, gaining renewed respect (CNN, 2025; Walsh, 2024).

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The Degree Dilemma: AI, Political Divides, and the Job Market Revolution

The once-unquestioned trajectory from high school to a four-year college degree, and then into a stable career, is now fraught with complexities and re-evaluations. Only for those of us working in education, is education a goal in itself, for the rest of the world it is a means to an end. They want it to do an imporant job: offer a rewarding career, a satisfying life-style and possibly some personal satisfaction. In that order.

Creating Your Own Current: A Lesson in Resistance and Resilience

The Inherited Stagnation – A University Adrift

For the 22-year-old navigating a world of expectations, a world that often nudges you towards the well-trodden path, I offer this: dare to author your own journey. My story of being Vice-Chancellor in Papua New Guinea for 6 years, where I thrived going against the current, illustrates this principle.

Dedicated to my dear friend, the late Larry Orsak (PhD UC Berkeley) here in Lae on the 7th of July 2014 in the rain during the national march against corruption.

The Honest Truth About High Expectations and Feedback in Teaching

Introduction

Observing colleagues, and reflecting on my own practice through the lens of my teaching philosophy, brings two fundamental tensions into sharp focus: setting high expectations and academic standards for learning, and providing accurate, timely feedback. These two aspects cut across all subjects and all ages. After all, an effective teacher is a subject specialist and professional (high expectations and standards), as well as knowledgeable about how to make students learn or the ability to find a fitting pedagogical approach. We hold these as ideals, yet the daily realities of the classroom often force compromises.

1. The High Expectations Tightrope

We know setting high expectations is crucial. Students often rise (or sink) to the level we set. Yet, we also know students frequently seek the path of least resistance – perhaps it’s inherent in the role?