Dr. Hastedt points out in his article, referring to results obtained from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), that as children grow up, their confidence in the subject maths decreases. Furthermore, he explains how gender plays a role in instigating this attitude and how female teachers can help overcome the fear of the subject among children.

Through participating in successive TIMSS studies, Chinese Tapei could use the data produced to develop new programs to boost students’ confidence in and enjoyment of mathematics. Read more in the new IEA Compass Brief by Fou-Lai Lin

The new IEA Compass Brief article by David and Leslie Rutkowski (Indiana University, USA), finds that children who are bullied tend to do less well in math. Read the policy brief to gain a better understanding of the relationship between bullying and academics.

Carl O'Brien's article reports giving pupils access to laptops in the classroom has a negative effect, however, providing access to technology for teachers, rather than students, worked best.

This article by Dara Ramalingam is the second in a four-part blog series on the assessment of 21st-century skills.