Cross-National Study of Lower Secondary Mathematics Teachers' Content Knowledge in the United States and Russia

• In Event: 41.047 - International Perspectives on Teacher Education: A Specturm of Subjects and Contexts

Abstract

The quantitative study focused on analyzing differences in 8th grade students’ performance on mathematics portion of TIMSS test through the lens of teacher knowledge. The sample of this study consisted of lower secondary mathematics teachers from US (grades 6-9, N=102) and Russia (grades 5-9, N=97). The instrument was designed to assess teacher content knowledge based on cognitive domains of knowing, applying, and reasoning, as well as addressing lower secondary mathematics topics of Number, Algebra, Geometry, Data and Chance. The study main results suggest that student performance on international tests could be explained by teacher knowledge. The study results may inform the field on priorities placed on lower secondary mathematics teachers’ knowledge in USA and Russia by content and cognitive domains.

Authors

• Mourat Tchoshanov, The University of Texas - El Paso

• Maria de los Angeles Cruz Quiñones

• Elena Ibragimova