Data Science in Primary School Mathematics: Comparative Analysis Within Singapore and Beyond

• In Event: Comparative Education

Abstract

Data skills are increasingly relevant in today’s data-driven world. Students across many systems, including in Singapore, first develop data skills via the primary (elementary) school statistics curriculum. However, there is a lack of comparative research in learning, curriculum and assessment in statistics. Using Singapore as a good case study, we generally found high levels of cognitive demands in intended and assessed curricula in statistics when compared to other mathematics content strands. This rigorous statistics curriculum was associated with high levels of achievement among the average Singapore student relative to their East Asian peers in large-scale international assessment (TIMSS). However, there was relative underperformance among lower-achieving Singapore students, suggesting a curriculum that weaker students were not benefiting from as much.

Authors

• Yook Kit Ow Yeong, Nanyang Technological University

• Farhan Ali, Nanyang Technological University - National Institute of Education