Using TIMSS to Consider Education Achievements and

Aspirations in Bahrain

Ina V.S. MullisMichael O. Martin

Executive DirectorsTIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center

Boston College

3rd QQA ConferenceQuality of Education & Training: Sustainability & Employability

February 18-19, 2015

TIMSS Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study

• TIMSS, TIMSS Numeracy, TIMSS Advanced internationally comparative studies in mathematics and science

• Assessment content the same across all countries

• Equivalent populations and samples

• Conducted in a uniform manner across all countries

• Comparable data across time - Trends

• Attention to quality every step of the way

TIMSS 2015 Assessment Frameworks

• Mathematics

– Fourth grade

– Numeracy

– Eighth grade

• Science

– Fourth grade

– Eighth grade

• Context Questionnaires

TIMSS – Important Tool for Education Policy MakingSystem-level monitoring in a global context to inform policy

• Assess learning outcomes in relation to educational goals

• Compare achievement to other countries

• Compare achievement over time

• Considered together with other information as available

Countries Participating in TIMSS 2015Armenia 4, 8

Australia 4, 8

Bahrain 4, 8, Num.

Belgium(Flemish) 4

Botswana 9

Bulgaria 4

Canada 4, 8

Chile 4, 8

Chinese Taipei 4, 8

Croatia 4

Cyprus 4

Czech Republic 4

Denmark 4

Egypt 8, Num.

England 4, 8

Finland 4

France 4, A

Georgia 4, 8

Germany 4

Hong Kong SAR 4, 8

Hungary 4, 8

Indonesia 4, Num.

Iran, Islamic Rep. of 4, 8, Num.

Ireland 4,8

Israel 8

Italy 4, 8, A

Japan 4, 8

Jordan 8, Num.

Kazakhstan 4, 8

Korea, Rep. of 4, 8

Kuwait 4, 8, Num.

Lebanon 8, A

Lithuania 4, 8

Malaysia 8

Malta 8

Morocco 4, 8, Num.

The Netherlands 4

New Zealand 4, 8

Northern Ireland 4

Norway 4/5, 8/9, A

Oman 4, 8

Palestinian Nat’l Auth. 8, Num.

Poland 4

Portugal 4, A

Qatar 4, 8

Russian Federation 4, 8, A

Saudi Arabia 4, 8, Num.

Singapore 4, 8

Slovak Republic 4

Slovenia 4, 8, A

South Africa 9, Num.

Spain 4

Sweden 4, 8, A

Thailand 8

Turkey 4, 8

United Arab Emirates 4, 8

United States 4, 8, A

Benchmarking Participants

Buenos Aires, Argentina 4, 8, Num.

Ontario, Canada 4, 8

Quebec, Canada 4, 8

Abu Dhabi, UAE 4, 8

Dubai, UAE 4, 8

Florida, USA 4, 8

Bahrain 4th, 8th, Numeracy

TIMSS 2011Achievement Results

Scope of TIMSS 2011 Assessment

•Total Assessment Time

– Grade 4: 8 hours, 45 minutes

– Grade 8: 10 hours, 30 minutes

•4th grade mathematics and science

– 347 items

•8th grade mathematics and science

– 434 items

•Assessment Time per Student

– Grade 4: 72 Minutes

– Grade 8: 90 Minutes

Trends in TIMSS

• Measuring trends fundamental to the TIMSS enterprise

• Trend data provide indispensable information for making policy decisions

– Is the education system moving in the right direction?

– Are students performing better on some parts of the curriculum than others?

– Are some groups of students making better progress than others?

TIMSS 2011 Mathematics 8th Grade

Bahrain

TIMSS 2011 Mathematics 8th Grade

Korea

TIMSS 2011 Mathematics 8th Grade

Sweden

TIMSS 2011 Mathematics 8th Grade

Blue: Girls

Black: Boys

Bahrain

TIMSS 2011Background Data Results

SupportiveHome Environment

and Early StartCrucial in

DevelopingChildren’s

Achievement

Later School Achievement Associated with…

• Early literacy and numeracy activities before beginning primary school

• Years of preprimary education

• Being able to perform early literacy and numeracy tasks when starting primary school

Successful SchoolsTend to Be

Well-resourced

Successful Schools:

Emphasize Academic Success

Have Safe and Orderly Environments

Teacher Preparation and Career Satisfaction Related to Achievement

• Have University

degrees

• Very experienced

• Very well-prepared

• Very confident

• Satisfied with careers

Engaging Instruction Related to Higher

Achievement

Summary of How TIMSS Can Be Used

• System-level monitoring in a global context to improve educational goals and achievement

• Basis for curriculum reform and implementation

• Supports teacher professional development

• Enables research and data analysis to improve teaching and learning

• Encourages assessment and evidenced-based decision making to implement educational reform and improvement

Thank You!

Using TIMSS to Consider Education Achievements and

Aspirations in Bahrain

Ina V.S. Mullis

Michael O. Martin

Executive Directors

TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center

Boston College

3rd QQA Conference

Quality of Education & Training: Sustainability & Employability

February 18-19, 2015