S'pore scores in maths, science and reading

[iRabbit]

http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Edvantage/Story/A1Story20121212-389076.html


By Jacqueline Woo
My Paper
Wednesday, Dec 12, 2012

SINGAPORE - Singapore has made progress in improving the academic performance of students weak in mathematics and science, going by the results of two global studies released yesterday.

The studies had four benchmarks of competence - low, intermediate, high and advanced.

The proportion of Grade 4 pupils - the equivalent of Primary 4 here - in Singapore who performed below the low benchmark of competence was 1 per cent for maths and 3 per cent for science last year, according to last year's Trends in International Mathematics and Science study.

This is lower than the outcome of a 2007 study, where it was 2 per cent for maths and 4 per cent for science.

Last year's findings were much lower than the international average of pupils who performed below the low benchmark, which was 18 per cent for maths and 19 per cent for science.

For Grade 8 students - the equivalent of Secondary 2 - those who scored below the low benchmark made up 1 per cent for maths and 4 per cent for science last year. This was an improvement over 3 per cent for maths and 7 per cent for science in 2007.

On the reading-literacy front, the number of Grade 4 pupils who scored below the low benchmark last year was 3 per cent, based on last year's Progress in International Reading Literacy study. A 2006 finding had the same result. The international average of Grade 4 pupils who performed below the low benchmark for reading literacy last year was higher at 12 per cent.

Both studies were coordinated by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement. They affirmed that students here remain among the best performers internationally in maths, science and reading.

For Grade 4 maths, Singapore was No. 1 among 50 education systems globally, with South Korea as No. 2. Singapore is second for Grade 4 science, while South Korea is No. 1. For Grade 4 reading literacy, Singapore is No. 4, while Hong Kong is No. 1 among 45 education systems.

For Grade 8, Singapore is No. 2 for maths and No. 1 for science among 42 education systems. There are no findings for Grade 8 reading literacy.

The studies said that strong support from schools and homes has helped students in Singapore cultivate an interest in maths, science and reading.

[ChiefKiasu]

Thanks FQW. We’ve always been proud of the achievements of our educational system vis-a-vis other countries. It’s the result of the close attention and support that Singapore parents give to our children wrt academic results. While it is great that MOE is trying to shift focus to providing a more holistic education beyond academic excellence, academic excellence must always remain a foundation stone supporting the altar of meritocracy. I would hate to see Singapore disappear from the TIMMS index within the next decade.

[iRabbit]

Yup, I'm equally proud our kids hold their own when benchmark against the world's best. Very often MOE gets the short end of the stick from ks parents here.


So credit when credit is due. :rahrah:

[BeContented]

FQW:

Yup, I'm equally proud our kids hold their own when benchmark against the world's best. Very often MOE gets the short end of the stick from ks parents here.


So credit when credit is due. :rahrah:

Agree.

[wendychooi1975]

Good job… our kids and also MOE

[teddy]

ChiefKiasu:

Thanks FQW. We've always been proud of the achievements of our educational system vis-a-vis other countries. It's the result of the close attention and support that Singapore parents give to our children wrt academic results. While it is great that MOE is trying to shift focus to providing a more holistic education beyond academic excellence, academic excellence must always remain a foundation stone supporting the altar of meritocracy. I would hate to see Singapore disappear from the TIMMS index within the next decade.

Yes, I must say credits go to parents.
Don't worry la, as you accurately pointed out, parents will still step in and intervene regardless of which direction that MOE is trying to shift. Kiasuism in our bloods. :boogie:

[teddy]

Top 10 scoring nations on the TIMSS study:

http://i45.tinypic.com/2qa5qih.jpg\">

[Rational_Parent]

ChiefKiasu:

Thanks FQW. We've always been proud of the achievements of our educational system vis-a-vis other countries. It's the result of the close attention and support that Singapore parents give to our children wrt academic results. While it is great that MOE is trying to shift focus to providing a more holistic education beyond academic excellence, academic excellence must always remain a foundation stone supporting the altar of meritocracy. I would hate to see Singapore disappear from the TIMMS index within the next decade.

Agree. MOE must not deviate too much from academic excellence for it is the \"passport\" to reputed higher education institutions.

[atrecord]

Rational_Parent:

ChiefKiasu:

Thanks FQW. We've always been proud of the achievements of our educational system vis-a-vis other countries. It's the result of the close attention and support that Singapore parents give to our children wrt academic results. While it is great that MOE is trying to shift focus to providing a more holistic education beyond academic excellence, academic excellence must always remain a foundation stone supporting the altar of meritocracy. I would hate to see Singapore disappear from the TIMMS index within the next decade.

Agree. MOE must not deviate too much from academic excellence for it is the \"passport\" to reputed higher education institutions.

MOE is discouraging teaching materials from being exam-oriented, instead choosing to focus on learning. Let's hope this will not result in the kids losing their by now exam-smart attitude.

[Sun_2010]

teddy:

ChiefKiasu:

Thanks FQW. We've always been proud of the achievements of our educational system vis-a-vis other countries. It's the result of the close attention and support that Singapore parents give to our children wrt academic results. While it is great that MOE is trying to shift focus to providing a more holistic education beyond academic excellence, academic excellence must always remain a foundation stone supporting the altar of meritocracy. I would hate to see Singapore disappear from the TIMMS index within the next decade.

Yes, I must say credits go to parents.
Don't worry la, as you accurately pointed out, parents will still step in and intervene regardless of which direction that MOE is trying to shift. Kiasuism in our bloods. :boogie:

... that is not necessariliy a good thing :siam: