Released 29/11/2016
Reporting season underway as Canberra schools are compared internationally
The first of three major school performance reports was released today, giving us important insight into how ACT schools are performing nationally and internationally.
The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is an international assessment of maths and science for students in years 4 and 8 and one of only a few assessments where we can see how our students compare internationally.
ACT results in TIMSS 2015 are generally higher than or equal to other Australian jurisdictions across mathematics and science for both year 4 and year 8.
The average performance of ACT students in year 4 science (a score of 549) was significantly higher than that of students in all other Australian jurisdictions
Across all areas tested, between 70 and 85 per cent of ACT student results were at, or above, the TIMSS proficient standard for Australia.
We know that the ACT has a great school education system. Its foundations are strong in the vital areas required for us to support students to achieve their best and over the coming term I will be working with our community to continue building the system we want for the future.
This report confirms that, nationally, Australia still has more work to do to lift our education outcomes up in line with some of our neighbours and comparable countries. Of concern is the proportion of Australian students (ranging from 25-36 per cent) not achieving the TIMSS proficient standard.
Further, and even though the ACT has again performed strongly within Australia, it’s a good time to turn our attention to our next steps if we are to continue to lead.
That’s why ACT Labor took a comprehensive platform of investment in these areas to the 2016 election and I have begun the task of implementing them:
- a community-wide consultation and policy development process to map out the school education system we want for the future
- an early childhood strategy to look at ways we can improve equity and access to education in the critical early learning years
- 100 scholarships to train teachers in science, technology, engineering and maths.
The TIMSS data provides an important insight. We need to use it, alongside results from other indicators like the soon-to-be-released NAPLAN data, to really understand the areas where we are excelling and where we can improve.
Our TIMSS results, along with the information collected on a day-to-day basis by schools and teachers provide us with important insights into the performance of students and of schools.
It’s also important that we consider the many factors which affect the performance and development of our school children and teachers.
National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) and Program for International School Assessment (PISA) data are also due to be released in the coming week.
- Statement ends -
Yvette Berry, MLA | Media Releases
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