Countries with large numbers of students who struggle to master basic reading skills
at age 15 are likely to be held back in the future, when those students become adults
who lack the skills needed to function effectively in the workplace and in society.
Among students who fail to reach the baseline level of performance (Level 2) in
mathematics, reading or science, most can be expected not to continue with education
beyond compulsory schooling, and therefore risk facing difficulties using
mathematics, reading and using science concepts throughout their lives … Even in
the average OECD country, where more than one in five students does not reach
Level 2, tackling such low performance is a major challenge. (OECD, 2013, p. 254,
our emphases in italics)