Does Science Curriculum Type Predict Students' Achievement in Science in the TIMSS Data?

• In Event: AERA Virtual Poster Session
  In Virtual Poster Session: SIG-Data-Driven Decision Making in Education Virtual Poster Session

Abstract

Most educational systems use either an integrated or a separate science curriculum. However, it is not clear which of these science curricula benefits students more. Existing research provides little information about the implementation details of the curriculum employed. Therefore, this project compared and contrasted the effect of the science course on students’ science literacy based on the educational data mining paradigm. Results from 44 countries included in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2019 Grade 8 Science showed that integrated courses benefit students marginally more than separate ones. Also, the curriculum type is not important in predicting students’ academic performance.

Authors

• Yajie Song, University of Alberta
  Presenting Author

• Ying Cui, University of Alberta
  Non-Presenting Author

• Maria Cutumisu, McGill University
  Non-Presenting Author