Examination of Mathematics Intended Curriculum for Elementary School in China From an International Perspective

• In Event: Roundtable Session 40
  In Roundtable Session: Evaluating Achievement Across Global and Cultural Landscapes

Abstract

Schmidt et al. (2005) found the content standard of top-achieving countries in TIMSS mathematics indicated coherent pattern that guaranteed the high-quality instruction and achievement. This paper makes the comparison of intended curriculum between China and TIMSS top-achieving countries. The curriculum guide and the curriculum standard in China were coded according to the TIMSS curriculum framework. The research finds that (1) a much more modern system of mathematics knowledge is constructed after the latest curriculum reform; (2) the pattern of curriculum guide exhibited high degree of agreement with the coherent pattern of those high achieving countries but more concentrated; (3) and the decentralization in the curriculum standard is unable to figure out the pattern of topics on the intended curriculum level.

Authors

• Yehui Wang, Beijing Normal University

• Yufang Bian, Beijing Normal University

• Tao Xin, Beijing Normal University

• William H. Schmidt, Michigan State University

• Richard T. Houang, Michigan State University

• Neelam Kher, Michigan State University

• Qi Dong, Beijing Normal University