The mathematics skills of school children: how does England compare to the high performing east Asian jurisdictions?

John Jerrim (j.jerrim@ioe.ac.uk) and Álvaro Choi (alvarochoi@ub.edu)
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John Jerrim: University of London
Álvaro Choi: Universitat de Barcelona & IEB

No 2013/12, Working Papers from Institut d'Economia de Barcelona (IEB)

Abstract: English policymakers have been disappointed with children’s performance on TIMSS and PISA, particularly in comparison to the results of young people from East Asia. In this paper we provide new insight into the England – East Asia gap by considering how cross-national differences in math test scores change between ages 10 and 16. Our results suggest that, although average math test scores are higher in East Asian countries, this gap does not increase between ages 10 and 16. Thus, reforming the secondary school system may not be the most effective way for England to ‘catch up’. Rather earlier intervention, during pre-school and primary school, may be needed instead.

Keywords: PISA; TIMSS; educational policy; primary education; secondary education (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I20 I21 I28 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 41 pages
Date: 2013
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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