______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: How Do Your Schools Compare
Author: TEECH Local Systemic Change <teech_lsc@labnet.terc.edu> at NOTE
Date: 1/13/97 10:50 AM
>Message from Jim Ellis:
>
>The Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)
>yesterday released the results of the international comparison of
>mathematics and science achievement for seventh- and eighth grade
>students. U.S. students are not first in the world, but are in the
>middle of the countries studied in science and in the bottom third in
>mathematics achievement at the eighth grade.
>
>The most important findings of the TIMSS study have to do with the
>factors that relate to achievement. Two key findings include:
>
>1. Students in the U.S. have as much time available to learn science
>and math. Students in the U.S. spend as much time or more time than
>students in other countries studying science and mathematics in the
>classroom. Students in the U.S. are given as much or more homework and
>watch no more TV.
>2. The use of the time in the classroom makes the difference. The U.S.
>curriculum in mathematics and science covers far more topics per year
>than other countries. Other countries cover 5-10 topics per year while
>in the U.S. it is as many as 30 topics per year. Teachers in other
>countries focus on a topic and stay with it until students develop a
>depth of understanding. Classrooms in the U.S. are interrupted by
>non-academic activities far more often than other countries.
Jim,
I think the magnitude of these interruptions is astounding. I'm
not sure that this was completely documented by the TIMSS. I recall a talk
by Glenda Lappan in which she reported on a smallstudy of the number of
days of math class that were devoted to mathematics (as opposed to a field
trip, holiday celebration, etc.) in some middle school. I believe
something like 120 out of 180 days were devoted to mathematics. When Jim
Stigler was here, he reported on the fraction of class time devoted to
non-mathematical discussions (like who won last night's basketball game).
I'm wondering if these discussions were taking place during the 120 days
that mathematics instruction was supposedly taking place.
Phil Wagreich
>
>These two findings are just the surface of what you can learn from
>these landmark studies. I suggest that you obtain copies of the
>reports and study them with your teachers.
>
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______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
TEECH Local Systemic Change Mailing List
To send a response, send mail to teech_lsc@teech.terc.edu
Moderated by Jim Ellis <jellis@nsf.org>
______________________________________________________________________________