Top ten myths and realities of the TIMSS reults

10. U.S. did not match up to other countries in TIMSS on the achievement tests

Results from 4 populations

9. It’s the fault of the Standards/new-new math/ reform math/fuzzy math/MTV math

8. Japan did well, so let’s just copy Japan

Japan’s scores

7. If only...

Our classes were smaller

Our students spent more time on their math homework

...then we would have done better

chart for each if only

6. The U.S. Curriculum is a mile wide and an inch deep

Chart from curriculum analysis book

5. Math teachers from other countries have more professional support

4. Achievement tests are the bottom line — they show that U.S. math classes aren’t working

3. The U.S. wasted $31 million to pay for a test that made us look bad worldwide

2. Hey, nth place out of for 4th grade, nth place for 8th grade, and nth place for 12th grade isn’t THAT bad — that’s pretty good for the U.S.

1. The system can be fixed:

It’s the curriculum, stupid

Look at the intended, implemented, and achieved curricula

Move algebra and geometry earlier

Use instructional technologies

Apply modern research