FLOSSI PUSHES MATH AND SCIENCE SKILLS
The 2023 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) assessed fourth—and eighth-graders' mathematics and science proficiency across 70 education systems worldwide. The results, released on December 4, 2024, reveal significant insights into global educational standings.
Top Performers:
Singapore: Consistently leading in education, Singapore's students achieved the highest scores in both mathematics and science at the fourth and eighth-grade levels.This marks the third consecutive TIMSS cycle where Singapore has topped all categories.
East Asian Regions: Following Singapore, regions such as Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Japan also demonstrated strong performances, particularly in mathematics. For instance, 92% of Japanese eighth-graders reached proficiency in United States:
American students experienced a decline in mathematics scores, with eighth graders ranking 24th out of 45 education systems. This downturn is partly attributed to extended school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted learning more severely in the U.S. compared to countries with shorter closures.
Australia:
Australian fourth graders achieved their highest mathematics scores since TIMSS began, with 72% meeting the proficiency standard. However, 9% of these students still needed help with basic calculations. In science, Australian students performed slightly better than peers from the U.S. and other countries.
Spain:
Spanish students showed a decline in mathematics and science, with a notable widening of the gender gap in math performance. Regions like Castilla y León and Asturias led in these subjects, while the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands lagged.
United Kingdom (England):
In England, fourth-grade students maintained high mathematics scores and improved in science, ranking ninth and fifth, respectively. Eighth graders also showed significant improvements, placing sixth in mathematics and fifth in science.
Key Observations:
Impact of COVID-19: The pandemic's disruption had varied effects globally. Countries with prolonged school closures, like the U.S., faced sharper declines in performance. In contrast, nations with shorter disruptions managed to maintain or improve their standings.
Gender Disparities: Some countries, including Spain, reported an increasing gender gap in mathematics achievement, with boys outperforming girls.
Regional Variations: Significant disparities were observed among different regions within countries, highlighting the influence of local educational policies and resources.