Government of Alberta News Release
November 20, 1996
International Study Shows How Well Alberta's Grade 8 Students Perform
Alberta's grade 8 students rank third in science and in the top one-third of participating countries for mathematics, in the largest global study of comparative educational achievement to date.
Results released today from the Third International Mathematics and Science Study show Alberta's grade 8 science students with an overall achievement score of 65 per cent. Singapore came first with a score of 70 per cent, Korea came second at 66 per cent and Alberta and Japan tied for third at 65 per cent.
In mathematics, Alberta's grade 8 students outperformed their counterparts in all English-speaking populations except British Columbia, to earn a place in the top one-third of participating countries.
"I'm proud of the performance of Alberta's young science and mathematics students," says Education Minister Gary Mar. "I'm also pleased that study results showed no significant difference in overall math and science performance between males and females, in Alberta or Canada."
Almost half a million students from 40 countries took part in the study, conducted between 1994 and 1996. Strict guidelines ensured that students tested were representative of each country and not simply its educational elite. In Alberta, a total of 2,241 students from 51 schools were tested in the spring of 1995.
Study results will provide baseline data for measuring the effectiveness of junior high programs like the new common math curriculum.
The math and science results released today are the first in a series of three. Results for grades 3 and 4 and for grade 12 will be ready for release in 1997.
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For more information, please contact:
Jim Brackenbury - Student Evaluation, Alberta Education - (403) 427-0010
David May - Communications, Alberta Education - (403) 427-2285
For toll-free connection outside Edmonton, dial 310-0000 (within Alberta only).
Backgrounder
Third International Mathematics and Science Study
- Conducted under the auspices of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement.
- Forty countries took part in the tests, held between 1994 and 1996. Five Canadian provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland had large enough samples for comparisons at a provincial level.
- The study tested and collected information on students aged 9 and 13 and those in their final year of secondary education. In most countries these students are in grades 3 and 4, 7 and 8 and 12.
- All countries took part in the testing of 13-year-olds. Alberta participated in all three test levels.
- The tests reflect international expert input and have been endorsed by all participating countries.
- Each math and science test took 90 minutes. All test materials were developed in English and translated by participants into 30 other languages.
- The science test covered five content areas: earth science, life science, physics, chemistry and the environment and nature of science.
- The math test covered six content areas: fractions and number sense, geometry, algebra, data representation, analysis and probability, measurement and proportionality.
- The study also collected data on instructional strategies, classroom activities, school characteristics, student attitudes and demographic characteristics.
- Students answered questions on attitudes towards math and science, parental expectations and activities both in class and out of school.
- Teachers answered questions on their preparation, instructional practices, textbook use and views on current issues in math and science education.
- Participating school principals answered questions on school characteristics, resources and course offerings.
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Copyright(c); 1996 Government of Alberta
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