The skills of fourth grade students have improved significantly in the last 12 years both in Mathematics and in Science. Instead, there was a decline in eighth grade students in Science, according to a statement from the Ministry of Education.
PHOTO Alina Mitran / The truth
The international report Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS 2023) – Trends in the international study of mathematics and science, carried out in Romania by the University of Bucharest, shows that 58 countries and 5 regions of reference, and in Romania the data were collected from a sample of 130 schools, 156 primary education teachers and 3,559 4th grade students.
TIMSS results for the 4th grade
Romanian 4th grade students obtained 542 points in Mathematics, 39 points above the international average (503 points). The average score obtained by Romanian students in Mathematics in 2023 is 60 points higher than the score obtained in 2011. Regarding the distribution by performance levels, 94% of Romanian students reach at least the minimum level of competence, and 16% of they get a score that places them at the most advanced level.
Fourth graders scored 526 points in Science, 32 points above the international average (494 points). The average score obtained by Romanian students in Science in 2023 is 21 points higher than the score obtained in 2011. Regarding the distribution by performance levels, 93% of Romanian students reach at least the minimum level of competence, and 10% of them they get a score that puts them at the most advanced level.
TIMSS results for the 8th grade
Eighth grade students’ skills have improved significantly over the last 4 years in Mathematics and have regressed in Science. 44 countries and 3 reference regions participated in the study for the 8th grade, in Romania data was collected from a sample of 128 schools, 129 mathematics teachers, 285 science teachers and 3,722 grade students VIIIth, the report also shows.
In mathematics, 8th graders scored 496 points, 18 points above the international average (478 points). The average score obtained by Romanian students in mathematics in 2023 is 18 points higher than the score obtained in 2019. Regarding the distribution by performance levels, 83% of Romanian students reach at least the minimum level of competence, and 9% of them they get a score that puts them at the most advanced level.
In science, 8th graders scored 466 points, 12 points below the international average (478 points). The average score obtained by Romanian students in science in 2023 is 4 points lower than the score obtained in 2019. Regarding the distribution by performance levels, 79% of Romanian students reach at least the minimum level of competence, and 16% of them they get a score that puts them at the most advanced level.
The TIMSS study takes place every four years and compares mathematics and science (biology, physics, chemistry) skills among students. At the Romanian level, TIMSS 2023 was conducted by the Educational Testing Laboratory within the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Bucharest. Participation in TIMSS 2023 was financed by the Ministry of Education, through the Externally Funded Project Management Unit (UMPFE) and the ROSE project.
