TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) Home Page

Key Facts When: Four-yearly assessments since 1994 Who: Year 5 and Year 9 students What: Mathematics and Science achievement How: Conducted under the auspices of the IEA; managed within New Zealand by the Ministry of Education Where: From 41 countries in 1994/95 to approximately 60 countries in 2006/07

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is an educational research project on student achievement in mathematics and science around the world. It is designed to measure and interpret differences in national educational systems in order to help improve the teaching and learning of mathematics and science worldwide. In 1994, TIMSS began the first study in a regular cycle of studies at four-year intervals. TIMSS assesses achievement in mathematics and science at middle primary (Year 5) and lower secondary (Year 9) levels, and collects background information on student, classroom and school contexts through questionnaires.

As well as providing countries with a snapshot of achievement at each cycle, participation at four-yearly intervals has allowed countries, including New Zealand, to measure trends in achievement by comparing performance across the cycles. New Zealand is currently analysing and publishing information from the fourth cycle of TIMSS, and beginning work for participation in TIMSS 2010/11. Approximately 60 countries around the world participated in TIMSS 2006/07. Note that TIMSS 2006/07 is called TIMSS 2007 internationally as Northern Hemisphere countries assess in 2007 while Southern Hemisphere countries assess in 2006.

TIMSS is conducted under the auspices of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA), which is an independent international co-operative of national research institutions and government agencies. The Ministry of Education’s Comparative Education Research Unit manages the implementation of the TIMSS studies in New Zealand.

Publications

The Ministry of Education has published a number of research reports based on results from the 1994, 1998, 2002, and 2006 studies. These reports are listed on the TIMSS publication home page.

 

Contact Us

If you have any questions about TIMSS please contact us on info.timss@minedu.govt.nz or research.info@minedu.govt.nz, you may also contact New Zealand's National Research Coordinator, TIMSS 2006/07 at. Robyn Caygill Research Division Ministry of Education, PO Box 1666, Thorndon Wellington, New Zealand Email: Robyn.Caygill Phone: +64 4 463 8294 Fax: +64 4 463 8312

International Sites of Interest

	Boston College.
	International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement.