TIMSS - What does it tell us?
The Northeast and Islands Regional Educational Laboratory at Brown University has highlighted some findings from the TIMSS report and generated questions for further dialogue.
TIMSS shatters myths about the relationship of achievement to hours of instruction and amount of homework. The issue is not in-adequate instructional time and homework assignments in math and science, but how the time is spent.
U.S. math and science curriculum is a "mile-wide and inch-deep." Greater focus and coherence (i.e., how pieces of subject matter fit together) are needed to guide core curricular choices.
Curriculum focus and coherence in other TIMSS countries is achieved through a national curriculum. Aside from a national curriculum, what are other means for increasing coherence and focus in U.S. curriculum, given that our curriculum is determined at the local and state level?
Standards and curriculum frameworks in math and science help with issues of coherence, but in some cases they may risk further broadening of the curriculum without bringing greater focus and depth.
TIMSS points to U.S. curriculum as being less rigorous than many other countries and that overall we hold lower expectations for our students. What can be learned from this study about holding high expectations and rigorous standards for all students?
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U.S. teachers lack the training, professional development, time, and support afforded teachers in other TIMSS countries. Is this the reason why, overall, U.S. math teachers' instructional techniques do not reflect their knowledge of math reforms?
TIMSS points to higher international ranking and a gain in U.S. achievement scores in science. Is this related in part to an increase in science's infusion in popular culture (especially environmental and life sciences)?
How do we reconcile the need for greater U.S. curricular and instructional focus and coherence with current national standardized assessments (i.e., SAT, NAEP)? What do these tests indicate? How do they affect curricular choices?
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