Learn about the upcoming cycle of TIMSS! Assess mathematics and science achievement at the fourth and eighth grades.
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TIMSS 2011
Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study 2011
TIMSS 2011 is the fifth assessment in the framework of the IEA Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). The previous cycles of TIMSS, which were conducted in 1995, 1999, 2003, and 2007, were very successful in measuring trends in student achievement in mathematics and science. TIMSS 2011 extends this sequence by providing achievement data at a fifth time point over a 16-year period.
Like its predecessors, TIMSS 2011 will also gather information about the contexts for learning mathematics and science from participating students, their teachers, and their school principals, as well as data about the mathematics and science curricula in each country.
Target population
TIMSS 2011 will assess students enrolled in the fourth and eighth grades. To better match the assessment to the achievement level of students, some countries will administer the fourth grade assessment to their sixth grade students and/or the eighth grade assessment to their ninth grade students.
Participating education systems
Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium (Flemish), Botswana, Canada (Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec), Chile, Chinese Taipei, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Honduras, Hong Kong SAR, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Oman, Palestinian National Authority, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates (with Abu Dhabi and Dubai as benchmarking systems), United States (with nine benchmarking states: Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina), and Yemen.
Schedule
TIMSS 2011 was initiated at the first national research coordinators meeting in February 2009. Instrument development and field test activities were carried out between February 2009 and May 2010. Data collection for the main survey was carried out in October–December 2010 (southern hemisphere countries) and March–June 2011 (northern hemisphere countries).
The international reports will be released in December 2012, followed by the international database and user guide in February 2013.
Management
As with previous TIMSS assessments, TIMSS 2011 is coordinated by the international study center at Boston College, United States. The study co-directors are Dr Michael Martin and Dr Ina Mullis. Other members of the TIMSS 2011 consortium are the IEA Secretariat, the IEA Data Processing and Research Center, Statistics Canada, and the Educational Testing Service. The international coordination of the study is carried out in cooperation with the national research coordinators of participating countries.
Funding
TIMSS 2011 is funded by IEA through fees paid by participating countries, with support from the National Center for Education Statistics of the United States Department of Education.
The participation fees for the TIMSS 2011 project are assessed in two currencies. The fee is USD 22,500 and EUR 22,500 per year for one grade or USD 32,500 and EUR 32,500 per year for two grades, for each of the four years of the project (2009–2012).
TIMSS and PIRLS in 2011
As the TIMSS and PIRLS international assessments will both be conducted in 2011, this cycle provides a unique opportunity for international assessment at the fourth grade. Countries participating in both TIMSS and PIRLS at the fourth grade will be able to take advantage of a comprehensive assessment of mathematics, science, and reading, with a rich array of contextual background information.
Related publications
Mullis, I.V.S., Martin, M.O., Ruddock, G.J., O'Sullivan, C.Y., & Preuschoff, C. (2009). TIMSS 2011 assessment frameworks. Chestnut Hill, MA: Boston College.
Mullis, I.V.S., Martin, M.O., Ruddock, G.J., O'Sullivan, C.Y., & Preuschoff, C. (2012). Quadro di riferimento di TIMSS 2011 [TIMSS 2011 assessment frameworks]. Frascati, Italy: INVALSI.
For more information, please contact the TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center.