Alberta students place 4th in the world in science
Edmonton... Alberta’s Grade 4 students continue to achieve among the highest science marks in the world, according to the 2007 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Alberta tied for fourth with several countries and achieved first out of the four participating Canadian provinces.
Alberta students performed at the international average for math achievement but scored significantly lower in 2007 than in 1995. “These results confirm what we already know through ongoing assessment — math achievement has been slowly declining,” said Minister of Education Dave Hancock. “We need to ensure our students have strong math skills, and the recently revised K-12 math curriculum focuses on strengthening students’ basic math skills and increasing their understanding of how math and its applications are essential to daily life.”
In 2007, about 4,000 Grade 4 students from 146 schools in Alberta participated in the study. British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec also took part in the TIMSS as benchmarking jurisdictions.
“Albertans with well-developed math skills are critical to the province’s success,” said Brad Anderson, Executive Director of the Alberta Chamber of Resources. “We want Alberta’s youth to work in our industries, but they need the right skills to do so. Math skills are first learned in Alberta’s K-12 education system, so I’m pleased government is looking at ways to improve student learning and achievement in this area.”
Alberta students participate in a number of provincial, national and international tests, providing an opportunity for the province to assess how they are doing compared to other students in the world.
“We all need to work together to increase student success,” said Hancock. “Many projects, which focus on a team effort of school jurisdictions, teachers, students, their families, and government, are underway across the province. They include a number of Alberta Initiative for School Improvement projects, a new Diagnostic Mathematics Program, and an increase in math facilitators working with jurisdictions.”
TIMSS is the largest study of student mathematics and science achievement in the world and is conducted every four years. For more information about the TIMSS and to view the study results, visit www.education.alberta.ca and scroll down to the spotlight section.
