Timss Science Results Seen from A Nordic Perspective

Abstract

In this chapter we describe some characteristic features of the TIMSS science results as seen from a Nordic perspective, and in particular; Norway. Four out of the five Nordic countries participated in TIMSS: Iceland and the three Scandinavian countries, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. (Finland did not take part, but participated as the only Nordic country in the repeat of TIMSS in 1999.) These four Nordic countries have much in common historically, culturally and politically. In the Scandinavian countries almost the same language is spoken, whereas Icelandic is different, but quite similar to the old common Nordic language. During the last six or seven hundred years Sweden and Denmark have rivaled each other for hegemony in the area, while Norway, Iceland, and Finland have been the smaller brothers in union with one or the other for most of the time. Today all Nordic countries are independent democracies with a strong social democratic tradition. They are relatively homogeneous societies with highly developed welfare systems. There are also strong and friendly cultural links among the Nordic countries, even if the European Union has split these countries into members (Denmark, Finland, and Sweden) and non-members (Iceland and Norway). Sweden has the largest population, eight million, whereas Denmark, Finland, and Norway all have between four and five million. Iceland has a small population, about 200,000. It should also be mentioned that the climate is similar in all of these countries. Denmark stands out from the other Nordic countries in two respects: firstly, due to its position closer to the other North European countries it appears more “continental” both in climate and culture; and secondly, its relatively high population density makes Denmark somewhat different from the typical Nordic countries which have wilderness within easy reach of even the largest cities.