From the June 11th NEGP weekly:
-> *3   FOURTH-GRADE MATH ACHIEVEMENT:  LOOKING GOOD
->    American fourth-graders landed in the winner's circle after
-> the Third International Mathematics and Science Study report was
-> released yesterday.  The study, conducted by the U.S. DoEd and
-> similar government agencies worldwide, found that U.S. fourth-
-> grade students performed above the international average of the 26
-> TIMSS countries in mathematics and science.
->    "Obviously this is not something we would have projected
-> after the last test of eighth-graders," said Pascal Forgione,
-> commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics,
-> which oversaw the report.  "It seems our kids are getting a good
-> foundation in the primary grades.  But we need to focus more on the
-> years after that."  Last year when eighth-grade students
-> worldwide were tested, American students lagged far behind their
-> international counterparts in the TIMSS math and science exams.
-> However, the fourth-graders were outscored in science by
-> students in only one country -- Korea.  In math, American fourth-
-> graders outperformed students in 12 countries, and fell behind
-> students in 7 other countries (Singapore, Korea, Japan, Hong
-> Kong, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Austria).  Specifically, the
-> report found that U.S. fourth-graders were above average in nine
-> math-content areas, but below average in measurement, estimation and
-> number sense.  In science, American fourth-grade students
-> scored above average in all four content areas:  earth science, life
-> science, physical science and environmental issues and the nature of
-> science.
->    "Pursuing Excellence:  A Study of U.S. Fourth-Grade
-> Mathematics and Science Achievement in International Context"
-> presents findings from the tests, questionnaires and curriculum
-> analysis performed at the fourth-grade level.  Besides comparing
-> achievement levels of students, the report also "provides
-> insights into how life in U.S. schools differs from that in other
-> nations," notes the study.
->    President Clinton and U.S. Ed Sec Richard Riley released the
-> good news at a Rose Garden ceremony.  While thrilled with the
-> results, Clinton cautioned educators and the public:  "Let's not kid
-> ourselves.  We are still nowhere near where we need to be in these
-> other areas."
->    The WASH POST notes that no explanation has been given to
-> explain the drop in student performance from fourth grade to
-> eighth grade (Sanchez, 6/11).  "Unfortunately, eighth-grade math has
-> really become kind of the missing link in education," said
-> Riley.  W"e need to focus like a laser beam on boosting math
-> skills in the middle grades."
->    Gerry Wheeler, executive director of the National Science
-> Teachers Association, pointed out that how math and science is
-> taught may be a strong indicator of student performance.  "In
-> fourth grade, a teacher can seize on the natural curiosity of a child
-> and roll with it without always having a lot of background in the
-> subject," he said.  "But that's much harder to do in later grades.
-> The subject matter becomes more complex, and the
-> competency of teachers in science and math becomes much more
-> important."
->    Wheeler added:  "This latest study should be another wake-up
-> call.  We can't just sit back and say 'Great, in four years we'll see
-> these same fourth-graders do just as well,' because they
-> won't.  We still have to change our classroom habits."
->    Other educators attributed the fourth-graders success with
-> the nation's emphasis on standards and that elementary school
-> science classes tend to touch on fewer topics in more detail than in
-> eighth grade.
->    The W.S. JOURNAL reports that 12th-grade test results,
-> "which are expected to be as doleful as those for eighth-
-> graders," will be released next year (Kronholz, 6/11)
->    For more information on TIMSS, call 202/219-1333 or e-mail
-> timss@ed.gov.  Visit the National Center for Education Statistics
-> TIMSS Web Site:  www.ed.gov/NCES/timss
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