Mathematics

• Countries:
  • East Asian countries were the top performers.
  • Very high percentages of East Asian students met or exceeded TIMSS international benchmarks.
• Trend (1995-2011): Grade 4 showed more countries improving than declining, but not so Grade 8
• Early start crucial in developing children’s mathematics achievement.

Science

• Countries:
  • East Asian countries are among the top performers
  • High percentages of East Asian students meet or exceed TIMSS international benchmarks
• Trend: More increases than decreases, especially at Grade 4
• Teaching:
  • More time spent on science instruction in countries teaching science as separate subjects.
  • Science teachers emphasizing science investigations

Context for education

• Home resources strongly correlated with achievement.
• Schools
  • Higher average performance associated with schools where a greater percentage of students
    • Were from relatively affluent socioeconomic backgrounds and
    • Spoke the language of the TIMSS assessment as their first language.
  • Successful schools
    • Tended to be well-resourced,
    • Emphasized academic success,
    • Had safe and orderly environments.
• Teachers and teaching:
  • Teacher preparation and career satisfaction related to higher student achievement
  • Engaging instruction related to higher student achievement
  • Affected by students lacking basic nutrition and sleep
• Positive student attitudes toward the respective subjects were associated with higher achievement, but student attitudes were less positive in Grade 8.