Monthly Archives: December 2012

On December 11, 2012, the TIMSS and PIRLS International Study Center released the results of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), and news reports from around the world are already trying to interpret the results.

Reports in Norway note that students are performing better in reading, mathematics and science, and that (particularly in 4th grade math scores) they are catching up with Finland. Drastic improvements made the news in Russia and Israel, although in Israel a dramatic gap between Hebrew-speaking and Arabic-speaking students was also recognized.

In Australia, the results were considered a disappointment, especially in consideration of the Prime Minister’s ambitious education goals and plans for additional school funding. In response to the unexpectedly low scores, Geoff Masters (Chief Executive of the Australian Council for Educational Research) explained on Australia’s AM radio program, “We know from international research and experience ourselves that what really makes a difference is the quality of the teaching that’s occurring in classrooms, the quality of the leadership of schools.”

Northern Ireland emerged as Europe’s top performing education system for primary maths. Students in the Republic of Ireland performed nicely as well, ranking 10th in reading out of 45 countries, 17th in maths out of 50 countries, and 22nd in science out of 50 countries; however, Ireland is not ranked among the top performing countries in any of the three tests. As a result, Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn has said that he would like to see more time devoted to science and maths in Irish schools, rather than Irish and religion. “That’s why we’ve asked for the divestment by the Catholic church of many of the primary schools that they currently have.”

Singapore students enjoyed high scores, as they have in previous years, but government officials expressed concern about the students lack of confidence – an issue they hope to address with their new student-centric, values-driven educational model.

While South Africa (along with Honduras and Botswana) reported the lowest scores in math and science, South Africa reported a significant improvement amongst the “most disadvantaged” students – a fact that “coincides with learners and schools receiving the highest number of interventions aimed at improving the quality of education, from both public and private sector providers.”

In the U.S., The Hechinger Report explains that while there have been some gains, U.S. students continue to lag behind their Asian peers.

For more information:

WELCOME TO THE TIMSS AND PIRLS 2011 DATA RELEASE

N.N., www.wienerzeitung.at (November 27, 2012)

Claudia Schmied Photo: Reuters

The extension of the all-day-school reform in Austria is still subject of discussion among the governing political parties SPÖ (Social Democratic Party of Austria) and ÖVP (Austrian People’s Party). The reform should have already passed the Council of Ministers, but the SPÖ refused to agree with the ÖVP’s draft law of the reform. Claudia Schmied, Minister of Education (SPÖ) criticizes that the ÖVP makes demands in return like ethics classes or a second compulsory kindergarten year for those who are in need. Furthermore, they demand that parents, teachers, principals, and students should be allowed to decide whether they want to implement an all-day-school-reform at their school. However, the SPÖ wants to stick with the rule that as soon as 15 students state the need for care in the afternoons, the school has to change into an all-day-school-model. Schmied is convinced that the decision nevertheless will be made this year. “There is no way around the all-day-school,” she says and points out that she will continue the negotiations with the ÖVP.

For more information:

All day school plans take shape

On the school reform debate in Austria over the past year: School Reform: Austria Petitions for Change

On teacher education in Austria: International experience as part of teacher education

Falling Behind in Sciences

Yong Yen Nie, The Straits Times (November 28, 2012)

Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

The Malaysian government has identified the field of science as a source for potential economic development. Therefore, the fact that fewer than one in five graduates are qualified in science is disconcerting. To rectify the situation, the Government plans to increase the number of students studying science through the provision of tax breaks for the parents of children who study science, and distribution of financial aid and grants to students. Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin (also Deputy Prime Minister) wants to see the number of science students increase by 10 per cent by 2014.

For more information:

Education Ministry forms committee to boost science student numbers

DPM launches network to connect Malaysian scientists worldwide

OECD suggests stricter accreditation for Chilean universities

Emily Green, Santiago Times (November 29, 2012)

Education Minister Harald Beyer. Photo by Gwynne Hogan/The Santiago Times.

In order to improve its system of higher education, The OECD recommends that Chile implement more rigorous licensing requirements for universities, continuous monitoring of university standards and restructured leadership. The OECD suggests accreditation become mandatory for all programs, as part of an “institutional review,” which would incorporate periodic reviews rather than function as a one-time qualification. Universities that do not meet the standard would be placed under review. Juan José Ugarte, head of the Education Ministry’s higher education division, explained that certification “puts the focus back on the students, giving them what they were promised when they enrolled.”

For more information:

Chilean National Accreditation Commission Accused of Corruption