IEA Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2019, National Study Centre for England

England participate in international comparison studies to benchmark our education policy and performance against other countries, review our system strengths and weaknesses in an international context, and monitor trends over time according to independent measures. The information collected is a vital part of our evidence base, allowing us to hold ourselves accountable for providing our young people with a world-class education system, and enabling us to learn from the policies and practices in other countries.

The International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is one such study. TIMSS is run every four-years and England has taken part since the study first took place in 1995.

It provides participating countries internationally comparable data on the performance and attitudes of 9 to 10 (year 5) and 13 to 14 year olds (year 9) in mathematics and science, as well as comparisons of the curriculum and the teaching of these subjects in primary and secondary schools. The sixth cycle took place in 2015; 57 countries and more than 580,000 pupils participated.

The Contractor will provide the role of TIMSS National Research Coordinator (NRC) and National Study Centre (NSC) and will deliver the TIMSS 2019 study in England to the specification and requirements of the IEA and its partners and contractors who together form the International Study Center (ISC). The Contractor shall use all reasonable endeavours to achieve the following high-level objectives and activities as reasonably requested by the ISC and the Department. • Complete the deliverables identified in this Contract to at least the standards described in the key performance indicators agreed by both parties. • Provide the role of NSC and NRC for England, including the roles and expertise that are expected by the IEA and their international contractors. • Prepare study instruments and administer eTIMSS 2019 (field trial and main study) ensuring IEA specifications and strict operational and response rate requirements are met, and the approach is aligned to the interests of the Department. • Undertake the sampling, data collection, coding and data cleaning requirements for the study in England, and additional national data analysis as requested by the Department throughout the duration of the contract. • Develop and deliver an appropriate communication and dissemination plan, which ensures the key findings are shared and understood by the main customer (the Department's Ministers and policy officials) within the national context of education policy and performance. This will include the publication of a national research report to coincide with the publication of international results - likely November 2020, and such products as agreed in an analysis and dissemination plan.