Comparing performance assessment, classroom practices and students’/teachers’ attitudes in six countries

Abstract

There is a need to see how effective students are provided with an education in science in Singapore vis-à-vis other countries. This is because there has been emphases on technological entrepreneurship and a populace well-entrenched with science by the government. The quality of science education in schools will provide the platform in ensuring manpower needs of the country. The Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) provides the opportunity to compare Singapore with five other countries, namely, England, United States, Switzerland, Hong Kong and Israel. This study compares the achievement of the countries in five science performance assessment tasks of the TIMSS and found that Singapore and England topped in the overall average. Hong Kong and United States scored below international average. The study also observed differences in attitudes and classroom practices that reflect the influence of eastern and western pedagogy. These differences such as emphasis on project or memorising of procedures will have implication to teaching of science.