The mathematics skills of school children: How does the UK compare to the high performing East Asian nations?

Abstract

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and Trends in Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) are two highly respected studies of school pupils’ academic achievement. British policymakers have been disappointed with UK school children’s performance on these tests, particularly in comparison to the strong results of young people from East Asia. In this paper we provide new insight into the UK – East Asia gap in school children’s mathematics skills. We do so by considering how cross-national differences in math test scores change between ages 10 and 16. Our results suggest that, although average math test scores are higher in East Asian countries, this achievement gap does not increase between ages 10 and 16. We thus conclude that reforming the secondary school system may not be the most effective way for the UK to “catch up” with the East Asian nations in the PISA math rankings. Rather earlier intervention, during pre-school and primary school, may be needed instead.