S.A Mathematics performance in international Context-LESSON 2.pptx

South African Mathematics Schooling in an International Context The teaching of mathematics in South African schools is amongst the worst in the world. In 2011, the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) showed that South African learners have the lowest perf...

South African Mathematics Schooling in an International Context The teaching of mathematics in South African schools is amongst the worst in the world. In 2011, the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) showed that South African learners have the lowest performance among all 21 middle-income countries that participated.  What is TIMSS? The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is a recognized international assessment study designed to measure the effectiveness of an education system within a country in relation to mathematics and science.  TIMMS CYCLE It is conducted every four years at the Grade 4/5 and Grade 8/9 levels. In addition to assessing learner knowledge in mathematics and science, TIMSS also gathers information in relation to the learner’s context for learning (websitehttps://www.iea.nl/studies/iea/timss/2019).  TIMSS Assessment framework The TIMSS Curriculum Model has three aspects: the intended curriculum, the implemented curriculum, and the attained curriculum (see Mullis & Martin, 2017, for details.  CURRICULUM MODEL 1- The intended curriculum These represent the mathematics and science knowledge that learners are expected to learn as defined by countries’ curricula policies and publications CURRICULUM MODEL 2- the implemented curriculum how the educational system should be organized to facilitate this learning, what is taught in classrooms, the characteristics of those teaching it, how it is taught  CURRICULUM MODEL 3-The attained curriculum what it is that learners have learned  The TIMSS 2019 Grade 5 Sample A total of 64 countries (including the six benchmarking participants) took part in the study. The TIMSS achievement scale is set to a Centrepoint (point of reference which remains constant from assessment to assessment) of 500 and a standard deviation of 100. In mathematics, the top three countries were Singapore (with an average scale score of 625), Hong Kong (602) and Republic of Korea (600) – all from East Asia. The three countries with the lowest achievements were South Africa (374), Pakis­tan (328) and the Philippines (297),  Achievement trends The TIMSS 2015 and 2019 cycles provided the first trend measure for mathematics achievement. The difference of average mathematics score of 376 in TIMSS 2015 and 374 in TIMSS 2019 is not statistically significant. This means that there was no change in the achievement performance over these two periods  Set the target To meet the country’s developmental objectives, the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (2019–2024) set the target for the TIMSS average mathematics score, in Grade 5, of 426 in 2023. Currently, this target does not look attainable. WHY??? From the TIMSS data, we are unable to explain, why achievement scores did not increase. The Grade 5 results are particularly perplexing (confusing) as the TIMSS mathematics and science achievements increased at Grade 9.  Recommendations by TIMSS We recommend an investigation into the primary school education sector, including issues such as the support provided to primary schools in relation to secondary schools, nature of teaching, learning and assessments in primary schools.  Activity Based on the recommendations given by TIMMS, what are your views in relation to support in primary schools vs secondary schools. NB- your views must be based on the literature researched and give references.