Mathematics education in Singapore: Looking back and moving on

Abstract

From Singapore's achievement in the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), and confirmed by the follow-up TIMSS-R, Singapore became well known internationally in the mathematics education community. One significant consequence is that the mathematics curriculum of Singapore has come under the close scrutiny of schools and educational authorities of the USA, and Singapore mathematics texts and materials have gained an unexpected export market. Mathematics education research in Singapore has produced some explanations for the success (Soh, 2000) and, although the syllabus and curriculum materials may have contributed somewhat to this success, the research suggests that the achievement of the pupils is due to a more complex interplay of factors rather than a few simple factors.