Australia’s results from the latest ‘TIMSS’ test show a concerning gender gap in maths for Year 4 and Year 8 students.
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Less than a month since the government paused New Zealand’s science curriculum refresh, an international study puts our students in the middle of the pack – with worrying results for poorer schools.
The results from the 2023 ‘Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study’ were released on Wednesday night. Year 8 students, who also did the test, held steady.
Two researchers independently studied Australian students’ results. These papers both reached the same conclusions: scores on the vast majority of standardised assessments are not in decline.
Students with expert maths teachers scored significantly higher on an international maths test than any other group. But a student’s level of advantage also affects assessment scores.
Training New Zealand students to be better at tests would probably improve their performance. But, as Finland has shown, there are better (if more expensive) alternatives.
Standardised tests or exams have been in place in a number of educational systems for nearly two centuries. They are rooted in reformers’ desire to regulate schooling and hold educators accountable.
Results from the world’s longest running large-scale international assessment of maths and science show Australia has significantly improved in Year 8 maths and science, and Year 4 science.
Data are about to be released on how well countries teach Year 4 and 8 maths and science Results from the last cycle of testing in 2015 showed Australia’s students achievement had flatlined.
Grade 9 learners in top and lower performing schools have difficulties with the same topics in maths. This has implications for curriculum revision and for teaching.
Continuing the status quo will not reduce disadvantage, and over time may even increase it.
It’s known as the PISA/TIMSS travelling caravan. Each time international tests results are released with league tables showing winners and losers a gaggle of researchers, academics and assorted fellow…
Top contributors
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Deputy CEO (Research), Australian Council for Educational Research
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Professor of Education Policy and Comparative Education, Murdoch University
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Senior Research Fellow - School of Education and the Arts, Australian Catholic University
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Mathematics Education consultant, University of the Witwatersrand
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Senior Lecturer in Science Education, University of Wollongong
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Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Education, Monash University
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Senior Lecturer in Education, University of New England
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Professor of Learning Development and Professional Practice, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
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Senior Research Fellow, Australian Council for Educational Research
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Senior Lecturer in Mathematics Education, University of Sydney
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Lecturer in Mathematics Education, University of Sydney
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Senior lecturer, School of Education, University of Waikato, University of Waikato