Media Centre

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS 2002/03)

Posted on:Wednesday, 15th December 2004

Information for journalists

The results the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS 2002/03) were released at 02:00am AEDT Wednesday 15 December 2004. The following media information was released with the report.

The reports are published in two volumes, one detailing science achievement and the other detailing mathematics achievements. A summary of the key findings of both volumes is available in Highlights of TIMSS. Each of the reports is available for download from the TIMSS section of this website.

Media releases

Australia’s mathematics and science achievement at a standstill

Australian Year 4 and Year 8 students’ achievements in mathematics and science have remained much the same over the past eight years while a number of other countries have made substantial improvements over the same time, raising their position relative to that of Australia, new research shows.
Download Media Release (PDF)

Fact Sheet: Changes in position of countries relative to Australia: Results of TIMSS 2002/03

This fact sheet was prepared to accompany the media release above.
Download Fact Sheet (PDF)

Gender difference emerges in Year 8 science achievement

A major international study of student achievement in mathematics and science has revealed a gender gap in favour of boys in the study of science at Year 8 in Australia.

In science at Year 8 boys were found to be outscoring girls by a significant 20 points. This represents a shift from the results of the previous TIMSS study in 1994/95 when no significant gender difference was found at Year 8.
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Mixed results for Indigenous students in maths, science study

An international study of the mathematics and science achievements of Year 4 and 8 students has revealed that Australia’s Indigenous students have made improvements in some areas but still lag behind their non-Indigenous classmates. Download Media Release (PDF)