Some implications of the TIMSS data for primary mathematics teachers

This paper was published in the 1999 Proceedings of the ERA Annual Conference held at Plaza Parkroyal Hotel, Singapore from 23-25 November 1998 ; As has been widely reported, Singapore came top in Mathematics for the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). The paper will provide an overview of the performance of the primary three and four students, both in terms of their strengths and weaknesses. Three general conclusions are: (1) Primary four students outperform primary three students on all but one item; (2) On most items Singapore students outperform their corresponding International cohort; and (3) Girls outperform boys though marginally. An analysis of individual items indicates that Singapore students appear to have difficulties in situations where the content is not an integral part of the curriculum, where the language may not be familiar or the items require comprehension of the underlying concept.