Journal of Education & Social Policy

PISA 2015: When Significant Responsibility of School Principals and Teachers for Management Decisions Make a Difference in the Indexes
Sandra A. Riscal, PhD; Maria Cecilia Luiz, PhD; Jose Reinaldo Riscal, Ms

Abstract
PISA student´s performance survey has been a subject for education researchers, especially in those countries whose results are below the average. Since some have long term objectives for national policies regarding education attached to PISA indexes, identifying whose variables have influence on student´s performance is key to sketch more assertive plans. The objective of this paper is to verify if there are correlations among PISA student´s performance indexes and key responsibilities of several actors (principal, teachers, governing board, local/ regional or national education authorities) in decisions regarding school administration: human resources, budget management, student disciplinary and assessment policies, pedagogic subjects definition. The results show positive correlations among PISA indexes and several subjects where principals and teachers have significant responsibility for decisions. Conversely, negative correlations were verified among PISA indexes and significant responsibility of the national education authorities in all subjects, highlighting the need for decentralization in decision-making processes regarding education management

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