The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS, formerly known as the Third International Mathematics and Science Study) resulted from the American education community's need for reliable and timely data on the mathematics and science achievement of our students compared to that of students in other countries.

The Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) represents the most extensive investigation of mathematics and science education ever conducted. The study is sponsored by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) and funded in the U.S. by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Approximately 50 countries have participated in this comparative survey of education focusing upon nine-year old students, thirteen-year old students, and students in their last year of secondary schools. For the oldest students, TIMSS analyses considered three groups: a cross-section of all students completing their last year of secondary education, i.e., a "literacy" sample; mathematics specialists, i.e., those students studying or having studied calculus; and science specialists, those students studying or having studied physics.

For more information, please visit http://ustimss.msu.edu/