When Knowing Basic Skills and Procedures Is Not Enough

• In Event: Poster Session 5
  In Poster Session: Research and Mathematics Education SIG Posters

Abstract

Since 1995 when TIMSS was conducted first time, US 8th graders’ mathematics achievement has been significantly and gradually increased. Starting from the below internationally average, in 2011, American 8th graders accomplished to reach significantly higher than international average. To prepare for continuous improvement, we need to look at what cognitive ability contributes to American 8th graders’ achievement and how it is different from consistently highly achieving TIMSS countries. We found that American students’ achievement is explained with basic skills and procedures (knowing or low cognitive processes) than applying and reasoning skills (higher cognitive processes) while mathematics achievement of 8th grade students from high achieve Asian countries is explained with the applying than knowing skills.

Authors

• Kyong Mi Choi, University of Iowa

• Dae S. Hong, University of Iowa

• Jihyun Hwang, University of Iowa

• Youjia Hua, University of Iowa

• Suzanne Woods-Groves, Auburn University

• Jo Hendrickson, University of Iowa