Abstract
The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is one of the most influential assessments of student achievement conducted at regular interval every four years. It provides reliable data about the mathematics and science achievement of students in grade 4 and grade 8, as well as data that informs instruction, curriculum development and teaching-learning process. Curriculum related factors are among the most prominent elements that affect TIMSS results. This study explores the impact of recent revisions in the school mathematics curriculum implemented by the Ministry of Education in Bahrain (The Bahrain Numeracy Strategy) on the TIMSS achievement results. The analysis focuses on the three cognitive domains (Knowing, Applying & Reasoning) as well as the three content domains (Number, Geometric Shapes and Measurement & Data Analysis) among fourth grade students. A thorough review of the curriculum and structured interviews and reflections with in-service teachers who witnessed a prominent change in the outcome revealed that Bahraini students’ scores improved in all three content domains while comparing 2011 and 2015. The possible explanations and reasons for those changes in achievement are further discussed.
Highlights
The 21st century requires all students to use higher order skills in their daily lives
The National tests are designed by trained Bahraini teachers that are certified by Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) and those exams are implemented for Grades 3, 6, 9 and 12 (Bahrain Education and Training [BQA], 2017)
The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) examinations measure students’ abilities in Mathematics in three different content domains: a) Number, b) Geometric shapes and Measurements, and c) Data Display; the analysis revealed that Bahraini students’ scores improved in all three content domains
Summary
The 21st century requires all students to use higher order skills in their daily lives. In 2013 the ministry of education implemented the numeracy strategy in primary schools; two years after, grade 7 was included as well (Al-Awadhi, 2015). The Ministry of Education (MOE) in Bahrain implemented several different projects to improve education; one of the projects was to increase the lesson period for math and science from 45 minutes to 1 hour (Al-Awadhi, 2015). The QQA conducts National examinations to determine the performance of the students in the four core subject areas: English, Arabic, Mathematics and Science. The National tests are designed by trained Bahraini teachers that are certified by Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) and those exams are implemented for Grades 3, 6, 9 and 12 (Bahrain Education and Training [BQA], 2017)
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