TIMSS 1998/99
The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 1998/99, also known as the Third International Mathematics and Science Study-Repeat or TIMSS-R, was the second in a cycle of international comparative studies, providing participating countries with an opportunity to examine changes in mathematics and science achievement at the lower secondary (Year 9) level.
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Key findings
The first assessment was conducted in 1994/95. Internationally, TIMSS-1998/99 was not as extensive as the first cycle, with only lower secondary students (Year 9 students in New Zealand) taking part. However, New Zealand chose to do a replication of the 1994/95 middle primary assessment with Year 5 students at the same time as TIMSS-1998/99 was administered to Year 9 students.
- The mean mathematics score for New Zealand Year 9 students was about the same as the international mean. Mean mathematics achievement decreased between 1994/95 and 1998/99 but this change was not statistically significant.
- On average, New Zealand Year 9 students achieved significantly above the international mean for science in TIMSS-1998/99, with virtually no change in mean achievement since 1994/95.
- Year 5 students achieved at a slightly higher level on average in both mathematics and science in 1998, when compared with the earlier assessment in 1994. Year 5 boys achieved significantly higher scores on average in 1998, in both maths and science, whereas the mean performance of girls was at about the same level.
Publications
The Ministry of Education has published a number of research reports based on TIMSS-1998/99, which are available from the TIMSS publication home page.
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