Why examine mathematics in Singapore?

For some of us, interest in Singapore's mathematics curriculum can be traced to its students' consistently high performance in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Studies (TIMSS: 1995, 1999, 2003: www.timss.org). Such performance is all the more remarkable given its status as a young nation which became independent on 9 August 1965 (http://www.sg/explore/history_independence.htm) and its past history (or lack thereof) in international assessments.

1995 was the first year Singapore participated in an international mathematics assessment. It did not participate in either the First or the Second International Mathematics Study (nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=92011). It did participate in the Second International Science Study (1983-86), in which its 10-year olds tied for last place with Poland, England, Hong Kong, and the Philippines (p. 95). Its 14-year olds fared a little better, managing to outperform the Philippines (p. 96). However, as demonstration of what was to come, its students in their last year of secondary school scored at the top in science (p. 97).

As part of the TIMSS 1995 study, an in-depth curriculum analysis was funded by NSF and conducted by Bill Schmidt et al. at MSU (click on overheads and datafiles; miscellaneous overheads). The scope and sequence of the gr. 1-8 mathematics curricula of the six top-performing countries were summarized in one table, revealing a common, coherent curriculum sequence.

Of these six countries (Belgium, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Singapore), only one curriculum, that from Singapore, was available in English for grades 1-8. Although 77% of Singapore students do not speak English at home (http://www.singstat.gov.sg/papers/c2000/adr-progress.pdf), classroom instruction is conducted in English. The Primary Mathematics textbooks are written in simple English, thus making them well suited also for English-language learners.

The Primary Mathematics (PM) textbooks are integrated into a textbook for preservice teachers, Elementary Mathematics for Teachers, co-authored by two mathematicians, Tom Parker and Scott Baldridge, who use the book and PM texts in their college courses at Michigan State University and Louisiana State University, respectively

Note:

1. In Singapore, 'primary mathematics' includes grades 1-6.

2. Although Primary Mathematics (U.S. edition) is the series most frequenty used in the United States, elementary schools in Singapore currently are using either "My Pals Are Here" http://www.marshallcavendish.com/marshallcavendish/education/international/catalogue/primary/maths/my_pals_are_here/index.xml or "Shaping Math"

http://www.marshallcavendish.com/marshallcavendish/education/international/catalogue/primary/maths/shaping_maths/index.xml.