An international study shows that half of 9-year-old Brazilian students do not know their multiplication tables

For the first time, Brazil participated in the International Study on Trends in Mathematics and Science (TIMSS)

Among Brazilian students, 51% of 4th grade children do not master basic math skills, such as multiplication tables, interpreting simple graphs, and adding and subtracting hundreds. This means that they do not even reach the level of knowledge considered “low”. The information comes from the International Study of Trends in Mathematics and Science (Timss, in English), published this Wednesday 4.

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This was the first time Brazil participated in the study, conducted by the International Association for Educational Achievement Evaluation (IEA). The tests are carried out every 4 years, since 1995, in different countries, to compare the level of students.

On the Timss scale, the Brazilian average in mathematics among 9-year-old students was 400 points. The number exceeds only 3 of the 64 participating countries: Morocco, Kuwait and South Africa. Compared to the general performance of other countries at this stage, it is as if Brazil is three years behind other nations.

Among Brazilian 4th year students, the lowest performing 5% scored, at most, 259 points. This indicates that the difficulty of the Timss is greater than the main Brazilian test for children of this age, the Basic Education Assessment System (SAeb), whose results also worry experts.

Low achievement among eighth grade students

Timss also assessed knowledge among eighth-grade students of primary school II, whose average age is 13 years. The result is that around 62% do not know how to calculate the side of a square, which also worries experts, since it reveals a learning delay expected for that age.

Over 60% failed to reach the lowest level of the overall scale. This means that students:

• they don’t know how to deal with basic shapes (like circles and squares) and their visual representations;
• not understanding linear proportional relationships;
• cannot determine the side of a polygon;
• I am unable to interpret the information in the graphs.

Brazil averaged 378 points, ahead of only Morocco. The country has been surpassed in this regard by nations such as Iran, Uzbekistan, Chile, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Jordan.

The highest performance was 243 points among the worst-scoring 5% of Brazilians. In these cases the students could not answer anything.

Performance in science

In the Science subject, the performance of Brazilian students was unsatisfactory, but better than in Mathematics.

Among 4th grade students, 39% do not master basic knowledge, such as information about plants, animals and the environment. The average was 425 points, which places students between the low and intermediate levels.

Among eighth graders, 42% were unable to answer questions about cells, tissues and organs. They also couldn’t distinguish a chemical reaction from a physical reaction. They were not aware of statements such as: “the sun provides light and heat” or “there is salt in the ocean”. On the overall average, Brazil scored 420 points, which is also between the low and intermediate levels.

Source: Terra

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.