The Singapore Math story

"Singapore Math"
The term, "Singapore Math", came into use in the U.S.A. around the year 2000 when US academics, homeschoolers, schools and the media started referring to our books as Singapore Math books. Since then, Singapore Math is the term used by customers, educators and the media to refer to our company and the math books that we distribute. The term Singapore Math books is not used in Singapore, where they just use the term maths books (what other math would they be using!) In 2001, we incorporated our company under the name SingaporeMath.com Inc. Primary Mathematics Series Singapore Math books as used in the U.S.A. and Canada refers to the Primary Mathematics series. The Primary Mathematics Series was first published in 1982 and was the only series used in Singapore primary schools up till 2001. Primary Mathematics was written by members of a project team put together by the Ministry of Education, Singapore. Changes in math curriculum in Singapore from 1981 through 2001 1981 The first Primary Mathematics curriculum was developed in 1981 by CDIS (Curriculum Development Institute of Singapore), now called CPDD (Curriculum Planning & Development Institute of Singapore). The Primary Mathematics Series was first published in 1982 and was the only series used in Singapore primary schools up till 2001. The 1981 curriculum was focused on content (e.g. computation), and problem solving did not receive a prominent role. 1992 The 1981 curriculum was revised in 1992 to make it a problem solving curriculum. The 1992 curriculum requires pupils to be able to do some problem solving, i.e., the use of (simple) math in novel / complex situations. The Primary Mathematics (Second Edition) was based on the 1992 curriculum. The Primary Mathematics (Second Edition) was published for Primary 1 in 1991, for Primary 2 in 1992, Primary 3 in 1992, Primary 4 in 1992, Primary 5 and 6 in 1995. 1994 Since 1992, there have been no significant changes to the curriculum. However, contents were further reduced in 1994. The Primary Mathematics (Third Edition) for Primary 1 and 2 were based on the 1994 reduced syllabus. 1999 Reduced-Content curriculum In 1999, Singapore's Ministry of Education decided to reduce the content in the curriculum in order to provide room for teachers to implement key initiatives (namely the infusing of thinking skills and integrating the use of Information Technology in lessons and the delivery of the National Education messages). Curriculum content were reduced by up to 30% for most subjects. The content removed or reduced from the subject syllabuses includes the following:

Concepts or skills which are not fundamental to the essence of the subject studied or which rely on plain recall; Content which overlaps with that taught at other levels in the same subject or with what is taught in other subjects; Content which focuses on technical details rather than conceptual understanding and is no longer relevant in the Singapore context or in real world practice; and Content which is too difficult or abstract for the intended level.

Please see press release "Content Reduction in the Curriculum" http://www.moe.gov.sg/press/1998/980716.htm. The Primary Mathematics (Third Edition) was published for Primary 3 in 1999, Primary 4 in 2000, Primary 5 in 1999 and Primary 6 in 2000. The Third Edition was a further refinement to the Second Edition so that the aims of the 1992 syllabus were better met. One of the major chapters removed from Primary Mathematics (Second Edition) was "Division of Fractions". This same chapter was added back in our Primary Mathematics (US Edition). All the new series (first published in 2001) are based on the 1999 reduced-content syllabus. 2001 Singapore Primary Math curriculum The second stage of the 1999 content reduction for curriculum was implemented from the year 2001. This stage involves change in teaching methodologies, learning approaches and assessment modes. Three initiatives were also introduced - National Education (to develop citizenship skills and values in the Singapore context), Information Technology (to bring hardware and software technology into schools. However, for the new primary math series, the IT content is found only in the teacher's CD ROMs. It is not mentioned in the textbooks or workbooks, as the IT materials are not reviewed by MOE), and Critical and Creative Thinking (to infuse thinking skills). Starting from 2001, textbooks for primary level mathematics have been privatized with the hope that the changes will be faster and there will be more choices. The contents in the new series that were first published in 2001 remained the same as the 1999 reduced syllabus. Please see press release http://www.moe.gov.sg/speeches/1999/sp081099.htm. 2005 onward.... Will there be another revision of the Singapore mathematics syllabus in the near future? Yes. Textbooks first published in 2001 have been revised in 2007. Changes in 2007 (for texts now used in Singapore) include use of calculators earlier than before (in level 5), reduction in mental math, and removal of operations on compound units in measurement. The contents of Primary Mathematics Series remain the same. Summary of curriculum changes from 1981-2001: 1981/1982 first Primary Mathematics curriculum was developed. 1992 the 1981 curriculum was revised to make it a problem 1994-1999 the curriculum was reduced in order to provide room for teachers to 2001 based on the 1999 reduced syllabus, the following three initiatives were added: 2003 SingaporeMath.com received approval from MOE, Singapore to adapt the third edition with

solving curriculum. This is basically the same curriculum used since 1992.

implement key initiatives (namely the infusing of thinking skills and integrating the use of Information Technology in lessons and the delivery of the National Education messages).

1. National Education (to develop citizenship skills and values in the Singapore context). Sample. 2. Information Technology (to bring hardware and software technology into schools. However, the IT content is found only in the teacher's CD ROMs. It is not mentioned in the textbooks/workb ooks as the IT materials are not reviewed by MOE.) 3. Critical and Creative Thinking (to infuse thinking skills). Sample

the following major changes: 4. Add back a whole chapter that was removed in the 1999 reduced syllabus "Division of Fractions". 5. Add chapters on customary measureme nts for weight, length and volume. (T he existing 3rd edition metric systems were not removed). 6. Use American currencies instead of Singapore currencies.

Series title: Primary Mathematics

Series title: Primary Mathematics 2nd edition

Series title: Primary Mathematics 3rd edition

Publishers hired their own writers to write the new series. The teaching of concepts and methods are not exactly the same as Primary Mathematics. Series title: Series title: Various

Primary Mathematics U.S. Edition

On the Primary Mathematics series: Singapore students who scored top in TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) 1995, 1999 and 2003 were all using the Primary Mathematics series. We can, therefore, say that the Primary Mathematics series is a time tested and documented math success story. We are therefore pleased to have chosen this series to adapt to Primary Mathematics US Edition. With three TIMSS results, and the support of top math academics in the US, we figure we cannot be very wrong with our choice. More information about the adaptation of Primary Mathematics 3rd edition into Primary Mathematics U.S. edition. On new series used in Singapore:

As of 2007, we do not yet have any international tests/results on any of the new series. We do not want to speculate nor present our unauthorized view about these new series. Some of the new series have come and gone. Those still in use are being revised gradually from 2007. As has happened in the U.S. in the last two decades, changes to existing math curricula need not necessarily bring about the best results. More on "Which series to use?" TIMSS What is TIMSS? TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study - the earlier acronym was Third International Mathematics and Science Study) is designed to measure trends in students mathematics and science achievement in four-year cycles. What is the purpose of these studies? Please visit TIMSS web site at http://isc.bc.edu/timss2003.html for detailed information Please also visit IEA web site at http://www.iea.nl/iea/hq/ for more information. Who conduct these studies? These studies are conducted by the International Association for Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). IEA is an independent, international cooperative of national research institutions and governmental research agencies. They are based in Boston, USA. How many TIMSS are there so far? Conducted on a four-year cycle, the first round of TIMSS was in 1995, the second in 1999 and the third in 2003. General Information on TIMSS: TIMSS 2003 TIMSS 1999 TIMSS 1995 TIMSS reports on student achievement: 2003 1999 1995 Complete TIMSS reports (very long pdf files): 2003 1999 1995

What have TIMSS to do with Singapore Math? Singapore's 4th and 8th grade students scored top place for Mathematics in 1995, 1999 and 2003. Singapore students who took TIMSS in 1995, 1999 and 2003 were using the Primary Mathematics series, New Elementary Mathematics and New Syllabus Mathematics (5th Edition) - the same series that we are official distributor of in the US and Canadian markets. What are the key findings of TIMSS pertaining to Singapore's good performance in

mathematics? Please see the following press releases by the Ministry of Education, Singapore: http://www.moe.gov.sg/press/2004/pr20041214.htm (for TIMSS 2003) http://www.moe.gov.sg/press/2000/pr06122000.htm (for TIMSS 1999) http://www.moe.gov.sg/press/1997/st00297.htm (for TIMSS 1995)

AIR Study What is AIR? The American Institutes for Research (AIR) is one of the largest behavioral and social science research organizations in the world. What is the purpose of this study? Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the study What the United States Can Learn From Singapores World-Class Mathematics System (and what Singapore can learn from the United States) identified major differences between the mathematics frameworks, textbooks, assessments, and teacher preparation in the U.S. and Singapore. What else does the study include? The study also includes initial results from four pilot programs that used the Singapore Math textbook in place of their regular textbooks. The pilot programs involved students in Baltimore, Md., Montgomery County, Md., North Middlesex, Mass., and Paterson, N.J. What Singapore Math books are these pilot programs using? All four pilot programs are using the Primary Mathematics series. Where can I find the full AIR report? Please visit the AIR web site for the summarized report.

http://www.singaporemath.com/Singapore_Math_Story_s/10.htm#AIRStudy