The concept of “functional literacy” first emerged in UNESCO documents in the 60s of the last century and subsequently came into use by researchers. Functional literacy in a broad sense is interpreted as a way of social orientation of an individual, combining the connection of education (primarily general education) with multifaceted human activity. PISA-International Student Assessment Program (Program for International Student Assessment).
PISA is the ability to generically demonstrate subject knowledge, skills, and mastery related to solving life situations. This is a diagnostic tool for determining the level of competence development of a 15-year-old student. The PISA International Study aims to identify the educational achievements of 15-year-old students in all educational institutions in reading, mathematics and science. The research is aimed at assessing not the abilities of students, but ability to apply in life situations the knowledge and skills acquired by them in the learning process. During the testing within the framework of the RISA, three areas of functional literacy are evaluated: reading literacy, mathematical and natural science literacy.
In 2009, Kazakhstan participated in the PISA study for the first time. Atyrau Agrarian and Technical College named after U.Kushekov did not stay away from this process, in 2018 our students took part in testing. The result was insignificant, so at this time, work is being systematically carried out to prepare for PISA, teachers and students take courses, get acquainted with the technology of this study, and train.
