A literacy specialist says schools shouldn't get hung up on international reading and writing rankings.
It comes after the latest Progress in International Reading Literacy Study revealed New Zealand children's literacy levels have fallen to their lowest level since records began.
READ MORE:Â Report reveals Kiwi reading levels are lowest on record
This country has slipped 10 places since 2011, to 32 out of 50.
The findings show our children are performing at a lower level than those in Australia, Austria, Lithuania and Spain.
But Education Professor at Auckland University Peter O'Connor told Mike Hosking there is always room for improvement, but overall we're doing ok.
"These kinds of international beauty contests for schools, and that's really all they are, they induce panic, you end up with inflated comments by Ministers of Education all over the world saying look what we are doing is working."
LISTEN ABOVE AS PETER O'CONNOR SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING
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