Why Schools Matter: A Cross-National Comparison of Curriculum and Learning. The Jossey-Bass Education Series.

This book offers in-depth information resulting from the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Launched in 1995, the TIMSS examines elementary and secondary mathematics and science achievement in 40 countries. The book explains that curriculum has a profound effect on student achievement and plays a crucial role in providing opportunities for student learning. The 11 chapters examine: (1) "How Does Curriculum Affect Learning?"; (2) "A Model of Curriculum and Learning"; (3) "Measuring Curriculum and Achievement"; (4) "The Articulation of Curriculum"; (5) "Curriculum Variation"; (6) "The Structure of Curriculum"; (7) "A First Look at Achievement"; (8) "Learning and the Structure of Curriculum"; (9) "Curriculum and Learning Gains across Countries"; (10)"Curriculum and Learning Within Countries"; and (11) "Schools Matter." The book concludes that reform efforts should be redirected to create challenging curriculum across all years of schooling for all students. The four appendixes focus on: TIMSS mathematics and science curriculum frameworks; relationship between content measurement categories for TIMSS framework, teachers, and TIMSS test; TIMSS framework codes and number of items for each mathematics and science test sub-area; and supplemental material related to the two-level analysis of mathematics achievement: chapter 10. (Contains 96 references, 56 tables, and 32 figures.) (SM)