Executive Summary

This report summarises a New Zealand study based on the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS-94) which involved mostly Year 5 students. Specifically, it provides comprehensive trend achievement information for Year 5 students in mathematics and science for two years - 1994 and 1998.

The focus of this report is on student achievement and their beliefs and attitudes towards mathematics and science, within a national context. This report is comprised of five sections:

• Chapter 1 presents a summary of the study design, key findings pertaining to New Zealand from TIMSS-94, and some technical information about sampling and the presentation of student achievement scores.
• Chapter 2 describes Year 5 students' mathematics achievement in 1998 and is viewed in a national context with a focus on comparisons with their Year 5 counterparts in 1994.
• Chapter 3 describes Year 5 students' science achievement in 1998 is viewed in a national context with a focus on comparisons with their Year 5 counterparts in 1994.
• Chapter 4 is a brief description of the demographics of Year 5 students involved in TIMSS-98 and a comparison with their Year 5 student counterparts in TIMSS-94 is presented. In addition, their aspirations, beliefs, and attitudes towards mathematics and science are examined within a New Zealand context.
• Chapter 5 is a brief summary of the main findings highlighted in this report.