KHDA: Dubai school inspection findings align with international assessment scores

Students in ‘Outstanding’ and ‘Good’ schools among top performers in Dubai

Students in ‘Outstanding’ and ‘Good’ schools in Dubai are among the top performers in the recently announced TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) international assessment findings.

Held every four years, TIMSS assesses students’ knowledge of science and mathematics at Grades 4 and 8, and includes the participation of more than 60 countries. Over 13,000 students from across Dubai’s private schools were involved in the 2015 TIMSS assessment.

Students in outstanding and good schools scored above the international average in both grades and subjects – with their scores ranging between 540 and 593 in the latest findings.

Dr. Rabaa AlSumaiti, Executive Director of International Assessments at Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) said, “The TIMSS findings have a strong correlation with our school inspection reports and we have seen students from ‘good’ and ‘outstanding’ schools perform better than other students in Dubai. Students in acceptable schools were found to be performing near the international average score of 500 and weaker performing schools were seen performing below average.”

TIMSS 2015 results show that more than 60 per cent of students in schools rated by KHDA as outstanding are performing at the high or the advanced international benchmark levels of TIMSS. In schools rated as good, more than 45 per cent of the students are performing at the high or the advanced international benchmark levels of TIMSS.

From 2008 to 2015, inspectors evaluated seven key quality indicators using a four-point scale, which corresponded to one of four ratings: outstanding, good, acceptable, and unsatisfactory. During each school inspection, inspectors judge the quality of students’ achievement in key learning areas, including mathematics and science.

Private schools in Dubai participated in TIMSS for the first time in 2007. Data from international assessments has been used to monitor the quality the education and assess the performance of students in science and mathematics while supporting schools to achieve their goals.

Dubai Schools TIMSS Results 2015

* International Average 500 points

– KHDA Media