Skip to main content

International Comparative Research in Mathematics Education

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Second International Handbook of Mathematics Education

Part of the book series: Springer International Handbooks of Education ((SIHE,volume 10))

Abstract

International comparative research is reviewed from the perspectives of methodology, implicit value systems, best practice, and mutuality of benefit. The evaluative/competitive emphasis of recent international comparative research is problematised on grounds of contextual (especially cultural) comparability and existing research reports are examined from an analytical perspective that emphasises the cultural specificity of not only the interpretation of data but of its potential to inform policy and practice. Central to the effective conduct and utilisation of international comparative research are considerations of ‘cultural authorship’ and ‘adaptive potential’. We study the mathematics classrooms of other countries not primarily for the purpose of adopting or even of adapting their practices but for the capacity of such research to support us in our reflection on our own practice. International comparative research must be collaboratively constituted and interpreted by each society in terms of the needs, goals, and resources pertaining to their own educational system.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 429.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 549.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 549.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Alexander, R. (2000). Culture & Pedagogy: International Comparisons in Primary Education. Oxford: Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, L. W., Ryan, D., & Shapiro, B. (1989). The IEA classroom environment study. New York: Pergamon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson-Levitt, K. M. (2002). Teaching culture as national and transnational: A response to teachers’ work. Educational Researcher, 31(3), 19–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Atkin, J. M., & Black, P. (1996). Changing the Subject: Innovations in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education. London and Paris: Routledge and the OECD (cited in Atkin and Black, 1997).

    Google Scholar 

  • Atkin, J. M., & Black, P. (1997). Policy perils of international comparisons. Phi Delta Kappan, 79(1), 22–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker, D. P. (1997). Surviving TIMSS or, everything you blissfully forgot about international comparisons. Phi Delta Kappan, 79, December issue, 295–300.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnes, M., Clarke, D. J., & Stephens, W. M. (2000). Assessment as the engine of systemic reform. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 32(5), 623–650.

    Google Scholar 

  • Battista, M. T. (1999). Geometry results from the third international mathematics and science study. Teaching Children Mathematics, 5, February issue, 367–373.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beaton, A. E., Mullis, I. V. S., Martin, M. O., Gonzalez, E. I., Kelly, D. I., & Smith, T. A. (1996). Mathematics Achievement in the Middle School Years: IEA’s Third International Mathematics and Science Study. Chestnut Hill, MA: Boston College.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beaton, A. E., & Robitaille, D. F. (1999). An overview of the third international mathematics and science study. Chapter 3. In G. Kaiser, E. Luna & I. Huntley (Eds.), International Comparisons in Mathematics Education (pp. 19–29). London: Falmer Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beller, M., & Gafni, N. (1996). The 1991 International Assessment of Educational Progress in Mathematics and Sciences: The Gender Differences Perspective. Journal of Educational Psychology, 88(2), 365–377.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bracey, G. W. (1997). On comparing the incomparable: A response to Baker and Stedman. Educational Researcher, 26(4), 19–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bracey, G. W. (1998). TIMSS, rhymes with ‘dims’, as in ‘witted’. Phi Delta Kappan, 79, May issue, 686–687.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, P. F., & Silver, E. A. (1999). Teaching and Learning Mathematics in Poor Communities. Reston, Virginia: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, Y. C., & Cheung, W. M. (1999). Lessons from TIMSS in Europe: An observation from Asia. Educational Research and Evaluation, 5(2), 227–236.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, D. J. (1996). Assessment. Chapter 9, in A. Bishop (Ed.), International Handbook of Mathematics Education (pp. 327–370). Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Kluwer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, D. J. (Ed.) (2001). Perspectives on Practice and Meaning in Mathematics and Science Classrooms. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, D. J. (2002). The learner’s perspective study: Exploiting the potential for complementary analyses. Paper presented as part of the symposium ‘Primary Research, Secondary Research and Research Synthesis: Theory, Value and Linkage’ at the Annual Conference of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans, April 2–5, 2002. Copies available at http://www.edfac.unimelb.edu.au/DSlvlfi/rescarch/lps.

  • Cohen, D. (1998). World league tables: What’s the score? Principal Matters, 10(1), 3–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forgione, P. D. (1998). Responses to frequently asked questions about 12th-grade TIMSS. Phi Delta Kappan, 79, June issue, 769–772.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freudenthal, H. (1975). Pupils’ achievements internationally compared — the IEA. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 6, 127–186.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuller, B., & Clarke, P. (1994). Raising school effects while ignoring culture? Local conditions and the influence of classroom tools, rules, and pedagogy. Review of Educational Research, 64(1), 119–157.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garden, R. A. (1999). Development of the TIMSS performance assessment tasks. Studies in Educational Evaluation, 25(3), 217–241.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gombrich, E. H. (1995). The Story of Art. Fifteenth Edition. London: Phaidon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gough, P. B. (1997). Call of the horse race. Phi Delta Kappan, 79, 178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hatano, G., & Inagaki, K. (1998). Cultural contexts of schooling revisited: A review of the learning gap from a cultural psychology perspective. Chapter 3. In S. G. Paris & H. M. Wellman (Eds.), Global Prospects for Education: Development, Culture and Schooling (pp. 79–104). Washington, D. C.; American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hess, R. D., & Azuma, H. (1991). Cultural support for schooling: Contrasts between Japan and the United States. Educational Researcher, 20(9), 2–8, 12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu, A. (2000, December). TIMSS: Arthur Hu’s index. [On line] Available: http://www.leconsulting.com/arthurhu/index/timss.htm. (December 30, 2000). Cited in Wang (2001).

  • Kaiser, G., Luna, E., & Huntley, J. (Eds.) (1999). International Comparisons in Mathematics Education. London: Falmer Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kawanaka, T., & Stigler, J. W. (1999). Teachers’ use of questions in eighth-grade mathematics classrooms in Germany, Japan, and the United State s. Mathematical Thinking and Learning, 1 (4), 255–278.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keeves, J. P. (1995). The case for international comparisons. Chapter 10. In I. L. Lane (Ed.), Ferment in Education: A Look Abroad (pp. 169–189). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keitel, C., & Kilpatrick, J. (1999). The rationality and irrationality of international comparative studies. Chapter 16. In G. Kaiser, E. Luna & I. Huntley (Eds.), International Comparison s in Mathematics Education (pp. 241–256). London: Falmer Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lather, P. (1999). To be of use: The work of reviewing. Review of Educational Research, 69(1), 2–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • LeTendre, G., Baker, D., Akiba, M., Goesling, B., & Wiseman, A. (2001). Teachers’ work: Institutional isomorphism and cultural variation in the U.S., Germany, and Japan. Educational Researcher, 30(6), 3–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • LeTendre, G., Baker, D., Akiba, M., Goesling, B., & Wiseman, A. (2002). Response to K. AndersonLevitt’s rejoinder. Educational Researcher, 31(3), 22–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lokan, J. (1999). Equity issues in testing: The case of TIMSS performance assessment. Studies in Educational Evaluation, 25, 297–314.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lokan, J., Ford, P., & Greenwood, L. (1996). Maths and Science on the Line: Australian Junior Secondary Students’ Performance in the Third International Math ematics and Science Study. Melbourne: ACER.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lokan, J., Ford, P., & Greenwood, L. (1997). Maths and Science on the Line: Australian Middle Primary Students’ Performance in the Third International Mathematics and Science Study. Melbourne: ACER.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lokan, J., & Greenwood, L. (2001). Maths and Science on the Line: Australian Year 12 Students’ Performance in the Third International Mathematics and Science Study. Melbourne: ACER.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mislevy, R. J. (1995). What can we learn from international assessments? Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 17(4), 419–437.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mullis, I. V. S., Martin, M. O., Beaton, A. E., Gonzalez, E. J., Kelly, D. L., & Smith, T. A. (1998). Mathematics and Science Achievement in the Final Year of Secondary School: IEA’s Third International Mathematics and Science Study. Chestnut Hill, MA: Boston College.

    Google Scholar 

  • Orpwood, G. W. F., & Garden, R. A. (1998). Assessing Mathematics and Science Literacy. Vancouver: Pacific Educational Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raby, R. L. (2000). Comparative and international education: A bibliography (1999). Comparative Education Review, 44(3), 381–419.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rose, L. C. (1998). Who cares? And so what? Guest editorial in Phi Delta Kappan, 79, June issue, 722, 800.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoenfeld, A. H. (1987). Confessions of an accidental theorist. For the Learning of Mathematics, 7(1), 30–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scholle, D. (1992). Authority on the left: Critical pedagogy, postmodernism and vital strategies. Cultural Studies, 6(2), 271–289.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, W. H., Jorde, D., Cogan, L S., Barrier, E., Gonzalo, I., Moser, U., Shimizu, K., Sawada, T., Valverde, G. A., McKnight, C, Prawat, R. S., Wiley, D. E., Raizen, S. A., Britton, E. D., & Wolfe, R. G. (1996). Characterizing Pedagogical Flow: An Investigation of Mathematics and Science Teaching in Six Coumries. Dordrecht: Kluwer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, W. H., McKnight, C. C., & Raizen, S. A. (1997). A Splintered Vision: An Investigation of U.S Science and Mathematics Education. Dordrecht: Kluwer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, W. H., McKnight, C. C., Valverde, G. A., Houang, R. T., & Wiley, D. E. (1997). Many Visions, Many Aims. Volume 1: A Cross–National Investigation of Curricular Intentions in School Mathematics. Dordrecht: Kluwer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scollon, R., & Scollon, S. W. (1995). Intercultural Communication: A discourse approach. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shimahara, N., & Sakai, A. (1995). Learning to Teach in Two Cultures. New York: Garland Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shimizu, Y. (1999). Studying sample lessons rather than one excellent lesson: A Japanese perspective on the TIMSS video tape classroom study. Zentralblatt für Didactikder Mathematik, 6, 191–195

    Google Scholar 

  • Shimizu, Y. (2002a). Capturing the structure of Japanese mathematics lessons: Some findings of the international comparative studies. Paper presented at the ICMI-Second East Asia Regional Conference on Mathematics Education and Ninth Southeast Asian Conference on Mathematics Education, 27–31 May 2002, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University,

    Google Scholar 

  • Singapore (From http://www.edfac.unimelb.edu).au/DSME/research/lps.

  • Shimizu, Y. (2002b). Discrepancies in perception s of lesson structure between the teacher and the students in the mathematics classroom. Paper presented at the interactive symposium, ‘International Perspectives on Mathematics Classrooms’, at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans, April 1–5, 2002. Copies available at http://www.edfac.unimelb.edu.au/DSME/research/lps.

  • Spindler, G. (1987). Cultural dialogue and schooling in Schoenhausen and Roseville: A comparative analysis. Anthropology and Education Quarterly, 18(1), 3–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stedman, L. C. (1997). International achievement differences: An assessment of a new perspective. Educational Researcher, 26(3), 4–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ste venson, H. W., & Stigler, J. W. (1992). The Learning Gap: Why Our Schools Are Failing and What We Can Learn from Japanese and Chinese Education. New York: Touchstone.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stigler, J., Gallimore, R., & Hiebert, J. (2000). Using video surveys to compare classrooms and teaching across cultures: Examples and lessons from the TIMSS video studies. Educational Psychologist, 35(2), 87–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stigler, J., & Hiebert, J. (1997). Understanding an d improving classroom mathematics instruction: An overview of the TIMSS video study. Phi Delta Kappan, 79(1), 14–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stigler, J., & Hiebert, J. (1999). The Teaching Gap New York: Simon & Schuster.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tarr, J. E., Mittag, K. C., Uekawa, K., & Lennex, L. (2000). A comparison of calcula to ruse in eighth-grade mathematics classrooms in the United States, Japan, and Portugal: Result s from the Third International Mathematics and Science Study. School Science and Mathematics, 100(3), 139–150.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, R. M. (Ed.) (1990). International Comparative Education: Practices. Issues. and Prospects. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thorsten, M. (2000). Once upon a TIMSS: American and Japanese narrations of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study. Education and Society, 18(3), 45–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tobin, J., Wu, D., & Davidson, D. (1989). Preschools in Three Cultures: Japan, China and the United States. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Education (1997). Attaining Excellence: TIMSS as a Starting Point to Examine U.S. Education. Washington: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van den Heuvl-Panhuizen, M. (1998). Gender differences in mathematics achievements in Dutch primary schools: On the search for features of mathematics education that are important for girls. In C. Keitel (Ed.), Social Justice and Mathematics Education: Gender, Class, Ethnicity and the Politics of Schooling (pp. 135–149). Berlin: Freie Universität Berlin & IOWME.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, J. (1998). International achievement comparison: Interesting debates on inconclusive findings. School Science and Mathematics, 98(7), 376–382.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, J. (2001). TIMSS primary and middle school data: Some technical concerns. Educational Researcher, 30(6), 17–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe, T. (2001). Content and organization of teacher’s manuals: An analysis of Japanese elementary mathematics teacher’s manuals. School Science and Mathematics, 101(4), 194– 201.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webb, N. L. (1997). Determining alignment of expectations and assessments in mathematics and science education. NISE Brief, 1(2), 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westbury, I. (1992). Comparing American and Japanese achievement: Is the United States really alow achiever? Educational Resarcher, June–July, pp. 18–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westbury I., Ethington C.A., Sosniak L.A., & Baker D.P. (Eds.) (1994). In Search of More Effective Mathematics Education: Examining Data from the IEA Second International Mathematics Study. Norwood, NJ: Ablex.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, M. (1987). The Japanese Educational Challenge: A Commitment to Children. New York: The Free Press. Cited in Watanabe (2001).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Clarke, D. (2003). International Comparative Research in Mathematics Education. In: Bishop, A.J., Clements, M.A., Keitel, C., Kilpatrick, J., Leung, F.K.S. (eds) Second International Handbook of Mathematics Education. Springer International Handbooks of Education, vol 10. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0273-8_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0273-8_6

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-3951-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-010-0273-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics