Success Factors in Improving Achievement and Attitude in MathematicsYeap Ban Har, Ph.D.PrincipalMarshall Cavendish Institute

Critical Role of Mathematics Learning

| Hanusek, Jamison, Jamison & Woessmann 2008

Student Outcomes: Now

Source|PISA 2012

Source|PISA 2012

Source|PISA 2012

Source|PISA 2012

Student Outcomes: Then

“Upon separation from Malaysia in 1965, Singapore

was faced with … high levels of unemployment and

poverty. 70% of Singapore’s households lived in badly

overcrowded conditions, and a third of its people

squatted in slums on the city fringes. Unemployment

averaged 14%, GDP per capita was less than $2,700,

and half of the population was illiterate.”

1980Curriculum Development Institute of Singapore

1992Introduction of Problem Solving Curriculum in Mathematics

1997Thinking Schools, Learning Nation

2004Teach Less, Learn More

2012Student Centred, Values Driven

| Hanusek, Jamison, Jamison & Woessmann 2008

Score 1960-1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s

500’s Japan Hong KongJapanKorea

Hong KongJapanKorea

Singapore

Hong KongJapanKorea

Singapore

400’s Thailand PhilippinesSingaporeThailand

MalaysiaThailand

MalaysiaThailand

300’s IndonesiaPhilippines

IndonesiaPhilippines

Critical Success Factors

| PISA 2012

Country % of Low Performers

% of High Performers

Mean

Singapore 8.3 40.0 573

Vietnam 14.2 13.3 511

Thailand 49.7 2.6 427

Malaysia 51.8 1.3 421

Indonesia 75.7 0.3 375

OECD 23.1 12.6 494

| PISA 2012

Country % of Low Performers

% of High Performers

Mean

Shanghai 3.8 55.4 613

Singapore 8.3 40.0 573

Hong Kong 8.5 33.7 561

South Korea 9.1 30.9 554

Japan 11.1 23.7 536

Finland 12.3 15.3 519

OECD 23.1 12.6 494

DirectionsRelevant Curriculum

Push FactorAssessment Focuses on Higher-Order Thinking

Support FactorProfessional Development

Support FactorCurriculum Leadership

Features of Teacher Training: What

Lesson StructureThree-Part Formatto facilitate problem-solving approach

Pedagogical ToolsModel Method

Content KnowledgeMeaning of Denominator

Pedagogical Content KnowledgeAssessment & Remediation 6

4

4

3

2

1

Features of Teacher Training: How

changing mindsets constructing knowledge

enhancing capacity to learn

Teachers as LearnersTeachers as Observers of Learning

Teachers as Reflective Practitioners

Success Factors in Improving Achievement and Attitude in MathematicsYeap Ban Har, Ph.D.PrincipalMarshall Cavendish Institute