Singapore primary school TIMSS data: Data representation, analysis and probability and patterns, relations and functions

Abstract

This is the final article on the performance of Singapore's population 1 students in the Third Inteinational Mathematics and Science Sttldy (TIMSS). Students' performailce on Data representation, Analysis and Probability and Patterns, Relations and Functions show some clear trends. They are: (1) Primary four (Upper grade) students outperform primary three (Lower grade) students; (2) Singapore's population 1, i.e. primary school, students outperforill their corresponding International cohort; (3) Girls outperfoilll boys on Data Representation, Analysis and Probability, but the results are mixed for Patterns, Relations and Functions; and (4) Boys tend to leave questions blank inore often than girls. Finally, the analysis of the data from all the topics shows that students perform well in routine situations. They have difficulty comprehending concepts or applying information in non-familiar contexts and the school curriculum operates as an upper limit on the mathematics they learn. Activities that address these difficulties need to be integral part of the school curriculum.