Change of Emphasis in the Mathematics Assessment in Hungary

Abstract

International survey data showed that Hungarian students performed well in both mathematics and science in the past. Since 1991 achievement in these 2 areas has declined, and this was most clearly shown in Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Two possible reasons for this phenomenon are investigated here: as a consequence of recent political and economical changes; due to the conservative structure of math and science teaching which differ from the international trend. While the achievement of Hungarian students was high on items requiring awareness of the traditional disciplines, it was lower on literacy and life-skill items and topics such as environment issues, measurement, data representation and interpretation, and so forth. Following international trends, the national monitoring surveys have shown a shift from the “academic” approach to the “real-life” application of mathematics. The paper presents both the new approach and the findings from the most recent national survey.