The Impact of Textbook Choice on TIMSS 2019 Mathematics Performance: Evidence From Fourth-Grade Students in Germany

• In Event: Thursday Roundtable Session 4:20 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Tasks and Textbooks for Mathematics Teaching and Learning (Table 26)

Abstract

In many educational systems, textbooks are a key factor in determining teaching practices. While some educational systems place a high value on textbook evaluation for analyzing and improving educational efficacy, others place a higher value on educational independence of teachers. This study investigates possible advantages of textbook assessment for educational freedom and equity by examining textbook effects on student achievement using the German TIMSS 2019 mathematics data. Results from multilevel regression show that textbooks have an effect on student achievement and that this effect differ for classes depending on the socio-economic composition. The results imply that textbooks should be considered as a significant covariate in educational research and that textbook selection is an important decision for educational practice.

Authors

• Ann-Katrin van den Ham, University of Hamburg

• Daniel Kasper, University of Hamburg

• Knut Schwippert, University of Hamburg

• Aiso Heinze, Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education