The document discusses the impressive mathematics achievements of average learners in Singapore, highlighting their high performance compared to international benchmarks. It outlines various educational initiatives and methodologies aimed at enhancing mathematics instruction and accessibility for all students. The presentation emphasizes the importance of supporting average learners to achieve high academic success in mathematics education.

1. Plenary SessionAverage Learners, High Achievement: The Case of Mathematics Learning Dr Yeap Ban HarPrincipal, Marshall Cavendish Institute St Edward School, FloridaDa Qiao Primary School, Singapore

2. Average Learners High AchievementInternational Studies

3. Students in Singapore have demonstrated high achievement and positive attitude towards mathematics. In Trends in Mathematics and Science Study, about 40% of Singapore’s 4th and 8th graders are in the Advanced International Benchmark (the international average is 5% and 2% respectively). 199520032007International5Advanced384138Grade 426High70747367Intermediate89929190Low969897

4. AverageHong KongSingaporeS. KoreaTaiwanTIMSSTrends in International Mathematics and Science StudiesGrade 8Advanced240314540High1570647171Intermediate4688858690Low7597949598Junyuan Secondary School, Singapore

5. TIMSSTrends in International Mathematics and Science StudiesGrade 4 1995Grade 8 1999Advanced3842High7077Intermediate8994Low9699Fuchun Primary School, Singapore

6. TIMSSTrends in International Mathematics and Science StudiesGrade 4 2003Grade 8 2007Grade 4 1995Grade 8 19993840Advanced38427370High70779188Intermediate89949797Low9699Fuchun Primary School, Singapore

7. The attitude index for Singapore students in TIMSS is also relatively high compared to other high-performing countries. Also, the majority of students in Singapore opt to study mathematics in Grades 11 and 12 when they are no longer required to.Marsiling Secondary School, Singapore

8. AttitudeAchievementSingapore7141Grade 4Hong Kong6740Taiwan5024Japan6223Kazakhstan8919England6216Russia8016International725

9. AttitudeAchievementTaiwan3745Grade 8S Korea3340Singapore6040Hong Kong4731Japan3026Hungary3010England408International542

10. High achievement was not a given. In 1960, among 30 615 candidates who sat for the first Primary School Leaving Examination, 45% of the candidates passed.Keon Ming Public School, Singapore

11. Average Learners High AchievementFocus of School Mathematics

12. Wellington Primary SchoolrationaleThe rationale of teaching mathematics is that it is “a good vehicle for the development and improvement of a person’s intellectual competence”.

13. Thinking Schools Learning NationsThis initiative was introduced in 1997. Since then Ministry of Education in Singapore has been injecting various initiatives into the system. These initiatives are intended to give schools the impetus to refine their programs to include the development of generic competencies.

14. National ExaminationSingapore has six years of compulsory primary education. The Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) is conducted at the end of this.

15. Singapore Examination & Assessment Board

16. Singapore Examination & Assessment Board

17. A restaurant had the same number of apples, oranges and pears at firstAfter 38 pears, some apples and oranges were used, there were 90 fruits left.Number of ApplesNumber of OrangesNumber ofPearsSingapore Examination & Assessment Board

18. A restaurant had the same number of apples, oranges and pears at firstAfter 38 pears, some apples and oranges were used, there were 90 fruits left.There were twice as many apples as oranges leftNumber of ApplesNumber of OrangesNumber ofPears38Singapore Examination & Assessment Board

19. A restaurant had the same number of apples, oranges and pears at firstAfter 38 pears, some apples and oranges were used, there were 90 fruits left.There were twice as many apples as oranges left.The number of pears left was 15 fewer than the number of apples left. Number of ApplesNumber of OrangesNumber ofPears903815Singapore Examination & Assessment Board

20. A restaurant had the same number of apples, oranges and pears at firstAfter 38 pears, some apples and oranges were used, there were 90 fruits left.There were twice as many apples as oranges left.The number of pears left was 15 fewer than the number of apples left. Number of ApplesNumber of OrangesNumber ofPears903815Singapore Examination & Assessment Board

21. A restaurant had the same number of apples, oranges and pears at firstAfter 38 pears, some apples and oranges were used, there were 90 fruits left.There were twice as many apples as oranges left.The number of pears left was 15 fewer than the number of apples left. 5 units = 90 + 15 = 105105 : 5 = 21Number of ApplesNumber of OrangesNumber ofPears903815Number of pears = 21 + 21 + 23 =65Number of oranges used = 65 – 21 = 44Singapore Examination & Assessment Board

22. ArchipelschoolDe Tweemaster – KameleonThe Netherlands

23. Average Learners High AchievementPedagogy

24. Math in Focus

25. Pensar sin Limites (Spanish Edition)

26. Pensar sin Limites (Spanish Edition)

27. Maths Champion (Indonesian Edition)

28. Primary Mathematics (Standards Edition)

29. Primary Mathematics (Standards Edition)

30. My Pals Are Here! Mathematics (Second Edition)Princess Elizabeth Primary School, Singapore

31. My Pals Are Here! Mathematics (Second Edition)

32. My Pals Are Here! Mathematics (Second Edition)

33. St Edward School, FloridaInitial Concrete ExperienceSubsequent Pictorial RepresentationMy Pals Are Here! Mathematics (Second Edition)

34. Eventual Symbolic Representation

35. My Pals Are Here! Mathematics (Second Edition)

36. Average Learners High AchievementCritical Factors

37. DirectionCurriculum That Focuses on 21st Century SkillsArchipelschool De Tweemaster – Kameleon, The NetherlandsKing Solomon Academy,LondonHigh School Attached to Tsukuba University.Japan

38. PushNational ExaminationBukit View Primary School, SingaporePathlight School, Singapore

39. SupportTextbooks & Professional DevelopmentPrimary Mathematics (Standards Edition)Keys Grade School, The PhilippinesLesson Study at Da Qiao Primary School, Singapore

40. In-service Professional Development in The PhilippinesIn-service Professional Development in ChilePre-service Teacher Education in Singapore

41. SynopsisSingapore's mathematics education has attracted international attention because of the high performance of its average learners. This plenary lectures explains what school mathematics should focus on, how the subject can be taught to make it accessible and useful to all learners, and what the critical factors are in supporting an education system where its average learners have high achievement. The speaker show how Singapore has used international research literature to benefit its students. PCF Kindergarten PasirRis West, Singapore