TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study)
TIMSS Cycles, Publications, International Data and Information
For each individual four year cycle of TIMSS and publications based on results from TIMSS please refer to the 'Related Pages' inset box (top right). For links to international publications, data and information on the IEA website refer to the 'Where to find out More' inset box (right).
Description
| Key Facts: TIMSS | |
|---|---|
| When: | Four-yearly assessment since 1994. |
| Who: | Year 5 and Year 9 students. |
| What: | Mathematics and science achievement and background information. |
| How: | Conducted under the auspices of the IEA; managed internationally by Boston College; and managed within New Zealand by the Ministry of Education. |
| Where: | From 41 countries in 1994/95 to over 60 countries in 2018/19. |
Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is an educational research study 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. The latest cycle of TIMSS will be conducted in 2018 in Southern Hemisphere countries (2018/19 in New Zealand) and 2019 in Northern Hemisphere countries. Hence the study is called TIMSS 2019 internationally and TIMSS 2018/19 in New Zealand.
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 Educational Measurement and Assessment Team manages the implementation of the TIMSS studies in New Zealand.