TIMSS 수학 평가에서 학교급 전환에 따른 학생들의 학업성취 변화 추이 분석

Abstract

This study analyzes how the academic achievement of students in Korea changes as they transition from 4th grade of elementary school to 2nd grade of middle school, considering that the 4th graders in the previous TIMSS cycle become 2nd graders in the next cycle. In particular, this study selects and compares the eight main countries in the TIMSS math evaluation (Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, USA, UK, Australia, and Russia) to analyze the trend of change in academic achievement of Korean students according to school grade transition. The trend of change in academic achievement of students was analyzed not only overall but also by content area (number, geometry and measurement, data representation (data and probability/data and probability), gender, and regional scale. The analysis focused on the average score and the proportion of students by achievement level. The results of the study are as follows. First, there was no significant change in the average score of Korean students' academic achievement as the school grade transitioned, but the achievement gap widened in terms of the proportion by achievement level. Second, there were differences in students' academic achievement by content area according to school grade transition, and the pattern differed depending on the evaluation cycle. Third, there was a significant gap in students' math academic achievement depending on gender and regional scale of school location. This study reveals that the achievement gap among students in our country widens as they transition between school levels. The gap is found to vary in terms of achievement level, math content area, student gender, and school location. To alleviate these disparities, more substantial research and support are proposed in addition to policy implementation by the government or provincial offices of education.