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Mathematics

Volume 495: debated on Tuesday 7 July 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what information his Department holds on England's position in international ranking in educational attainment in mathematics in each of the last five years. (283628)

Information on England's international rating in mathematics over the last five years is available for pupils aged 10, 14 and 15 from two studies: the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2007 at ages 10 and 14 and, to a lesser extent, the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2006 at age 15. England was ranked 7th out of 36 countries at age 10 and 7th out of 49 countries at age 14 in TIMSS 2007. England was ranked 25th out of 57 countries in PISA 2006. However, it should be noted that PISA 2006 did not test the full range of mathematical competencies as mathematics was a subsidiary subject in the study and less than one-third of the available assessment time was given over to it.

Further information is available from the TIMSS 2007 and PISA 2006 National Reports for England and I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Libraries.