The University of Iceland Oversees an International Study on Students‘ Performance in Maths and Natural Sciences

Iceland is participating in TIMSS 2027, an international research project that evaluates students’ performance in mathematics and the natural sciences worldwide. The Educational Research Institute at the University of Iceland was assigned the responsibility for conducting the research project in Iceland. Participation in the study increases the number of indicators measuring the performance of Icelandic students in an international comparison, whereas the PISA assessment has been the only such indicator for a long time.

Inga Sæland, Minister of Education and Children, Silja Bára R. Ómarsdóttir, the rector of the University of Iceland, and Kolbrún Þ. Pálsdóttir, dean of the School of Education at UI, signed an agreement on the preparation and execution of the TIMSS-study in Iceland 2027 at the ministry yesterday, 12 February.

About the TIMSS Study

The TIMSS-Study (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) evaluates the knowledge and skills of students in 4th and 8th grade in elementary school in mathematics and natural science. The aim of the study is to:

• Compare academic performance between countries,
• Analyse the development of academic performance over time and,
• Explore factors that influence studying, such as teaching methods, curriculum and students’ opinions.

The International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) leads the study and it has been conducted every four years since 1995.

Iceland’s Participation

Iceland was among the participants when the study started in 1995, but hasn’t participated again since, until now, and has joined a group of all the other Nordic countries taking part in the study.

Under the contract, the Ministry of Education and Children has assigned the Educational Research Institute the responsibility for preparing and executing TIMSS in Iceland. It’s expected that students in all schools across Iceland will be examined next year by answering questions and solving problems in mathematics and natural science. Additionally, students, teachers, and school managers will answer questionnaires on their study environment and teaching methods. Preliminary tests will take place this spring.

The Importance of the Study

The results of TIMSS will provide the government and schools with data to:

• Assess strengths and weaknesses in learning,
• develop teaching methods and curriculum,
• setting goals for the future.

“Iceland’s participation in TIMSS, in addition to PISA, gives us important information about the status of Icelandic students in international comparison. TIMSS also provides thorough information on teaching methods and teachers' opinions. We need more indicators and are working on increasing their number. This information helps us improve the education system through data-driven policymaking and support Icelandic education research,” says Inga Sæland, Minister of Education and Children.

Further information on the TIMSS study on IEA’s website