Grades IV & V students take TIMSS test in science, maths

DUBAI — More than 8,500 students from Grades IV and V in public and private schools in Dubai are currently taking tests in science and mathematics to provide the emirate with an international baseline measure of the education system. The tests began on November 15 and will end next week.

By A Staff Reporter

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Published: Fri 23 Nov 2007, 9:25 AM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 4:39 AM

The Dubai School Agency (DSA), part of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai (KHDA), has for the first time enlisted all public and private schools in an international assessment process that is being conducted in the UAE.

This is the first in a series of assessments that KHDA will administer for student achievement for the purpose of making evidence-based decisions in its strategic plan for education.

The assessment titled Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is being conducted under the purview of the KHDA and implemented by the DSA in partnership with the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA).

The IEA is an independent, non-profit international cooperative of national research institutions and governmental research agencies that has conducted over 20 studies of cross-national achievement over the years.

TIMSS is an educational assessment of student achievement in mathematics and science. It is designed to measure and interpret differences in national educational systems and aspects of growth in mathematics and science knowledge and skills in the given two grades.

To keep educational policy-makers informed, TIMSS testing routinely collects extensive background information that addresses concerns about the quantity, quality and method of instruction. It looks at not only knowledge, but also application and reasoning.

The results of TIMSS testing would provide Dubai with an international baseline measure, not of individual students or schools, but of the system as a whole.

Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Director-General of the KHDA, said, “What we want to do is set an initial international baseline, something that has never been done before. It’s really a very exciting effort. The extraordinary diversity of our schools, curricula and students in Dubai is at once an opportunity and a challenge. TIMSS will help us maximise the opportunities and overcome the challenges.”


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