Before PISA, there is the territory

The article by Nuno Baptista addresses the need to understand PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) results beyond the statistical data themselves. The author argues that although PISA may indicate where educational systems stand in terms of performance, this international assessment tool cannot capture the complexity of educational pathways as they are built in practice. The analysis presented suggests that it is necessary to look beyond rankings and national averages to truly understand what is happening in schools. The text emphasizes the importance of considering local contexts, communities, and specific territories where teaching and learning occur. Baptista argues that each school and each community has particularities that influence educational outcomes, and that a more in-depth analysis must take these territorial factors into account to truly understand student performance.