Overview

The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) provides reliable and timely data on the mathematics and science achievement of U.S. 4th- and 8th-grade students compared to that of students in other countries. TIMSS data have been collected in 1995, 1999, 2003, and 2007.

More than 60 countries and jurisdictions, including the United States, will participate in TIMSS 2011. More than 20,000 students in more than 1,000 schools across the United States will take the assessment in spring 2011. These U.S. students will join almost 500,000 other students around the world taking part in TIMSS. Because the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) will also be administered at grade four in spring 2011, TIMSS and PIRLS in the United States will be administered in the same schools to the extent feasible. Students will take either TIMSS or PIRLS on the day of the assessments.

In addition, to address the interest in states benchmarking to international standards, NCES is initiating a new effort to link the states scores from the national assessment—NAEP-- to TIMSS. The 2011 NAEP-TIMSS Linking Study is designed to provide all states with estimates that compare their own students’ performance against international benchmarks. Read more about the 2011 NAEP-TIMSS Link here.

Test your mathematics and science knowledge by completing TIMSS items in the Dare to Compare challenge!