Today the results of the 2011 TIMSS (Trends in International Math and Science Study) and PIRLS (Progress in International Reading and Literacy Study) were released. The TIMSS tests are administered to 4th and 8th grade students every four years in 57 nations and several smaller entities (cities and ethnic regions) around the world. PIRLS is administered every five years and only at 4th grade.
Last week I predicted good news in our TIMSS results but little media attention. A quick Yahoo search for "TIMSS News" indeed uncovered very few US news results among the top 50 stories. So I went to individual national news websites looking for the story. No front page included a story about the TIMSS but by searching within sites, I found a few.
Here are this morning's headlines:
Here are the results:
READING
4th Grade: The US average score was 556, compared to the international average set at 500.
Only two nations scored measurably higher than the US in Reading: Russia and Finland. Additionally, some non-national entities scored higher (Hong Kong, the state of Florida and Singapore)
American 4th graders greatly exceeded their previous average scores in 2006 and in 2001 (the PIRLS is only given every five years).
MATHEMATICS
4th Grade: The US average score was 541, significantly higher than the TIMSS average of 500.
Only four nations scored higher than the US (Korea, Japan, Finland and Russia).
Also higher were smaller entities Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei, Northern Ireland, Flemish Belgium and the state of North Carolina.
The US also improved its average score substantially over 1995 (first year) and 2007 (previous year).
The percentage of US 4th graders scoring above the Advanced level (13%) was also high, with only Japan and Korea exceeding the US. Additionally, some non-national cities and regions did well.
8th Grade: The US average score was 509, above the TIMSS average of 500.
Only five nations scored higher than the US (Korea, Japan, Russia, Israel and Finland).
SCIENCE
4th Grade: The US average score was 544, significantly above the TIMSS average of 500.
Four nations exceeded the US average score: Korea, Finland, Japan and Russia
Average scores in science did not change significantly over 1995 or 2007.
8th Grade: The US average score was 525, significantly above the TIMSS average of 500.
Five nations exceeded the US average score: Korea, Japan, Slovenia, Finland and Russia.
Average scores in science rose by 12 points over 1995 and by 5 points over 2007.
US 8th graders scoring above the Advanced level (10%) were exceeded by seven nations: Korea, Japan, Russia, Slovenia, Finland, Israel and Australia.
Kudos to Korea, Japan, Finland and Russia for their stellar performance. But shame on American media for distorted reporting on the accomplishments of our own children. In England, where scores were mostly lower than in the US, this morning's BBC News headline ran:
Now you know the scores. As my husband would say about those headlines, unfrickingbelievable.
Here are this morning's headlines:
"US Students Still Lag Globally in Mathematics and Science, Tests Show" (New York Times)
Nothing (Fox News)
Nothing (CBS News)
"International Tests Show East Asian Students Outperform the World as US Holds Steady" (Huffington Post)
"Asian Students Top Math, Science, Reading Tests" (MSNBC News)
"Competitors Still Beat US in Tests" (Wall Street Journal)
"US Students Continue to Trail Asian Students in Math, Reading, Science" (Washington Post)
"Global Study of Student Scores a Mixed Bag for US" (ABC News)
And in Oregon "US Students Far from First in Math, Science" (Oregonian)In all three subject areas -- Reading, Mathematics and Science -- the US was among the top 5 nations of the 57 nations participating. In Reading, the US made an even stronger showing than in 2001 or 2006 (the previous PIRLS testing years). In Mathematics, the US exceeded its strong performance over 2007 (the last time the test was given) at both 4th and 8th grades. In Science the US made more modest gains but maintained its place near the front of the pack.
Here are the results:
READING
4th Grade: The US average score was 556, compared to the international average set at 500.
Only two nations scored measurably higher than the US in Reading: Russia and Finland. Additionally, some non-national entities scored higher (Hong Kong, the state of Florida and Singapore)
American 4th graders greatly exceeded their previous average scores in 2006 and in 2001 (the PIRLS is only given every five years).
MATHEMATICS
4th Grade: The US average score was 541, significantly higher than the TIMSS average of 500.
Also higher were smaller entities Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei, Northern Ireland, Flemish Belgium and the state of North Carolina.
The US also improved its average score substantially over 1995 (first year) and 2007 (previous year).
The percentage of US 4th graders scoring above the Advanced level (13%) was also high, with only Japan and Korea exceeding the US. Additionally, some non-national cities and regions did well.
8th Grade: The US average score was 509, above the TIMSS average of 500.
Only five nations scored higher than the US (Korea, Japan, Russia, Israel and Finland).
SCIENCE
4th Grade: The US average score was 544, significantly above the TIMSS average of 500.
Average scores in science did not change significantly over 1995 or 2007.
8th Grade: The US average score was 525, significantly above the TIMSS average of 500.
Five nations exceeded the US average score: Korea, Japan, Slovenia, Finland and Russia.
Average scores in science rose by 12 points over 1995 and by 5 points over 2007.
US 8th graders scoring above the Advanced level (10%) were exceeded by seven nations: Korea, Japan, Russia, Slovenia, Finland, Israel and Australia.
Kudos to Korea, Japan, Finland and Russia for their stellar performance. But shame on American media for distorted reporting on the accomplishments of our own children. In England, where scores were mostly lower than in the US, this morning's BBC News headline ran:
"England in Math's Top 10" (BBC News)
Now you know the scores. As my husband would say about those headlines, unfrickingbelievable.
Thanks for telling it like it is, Linda!
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