Symposium on PISA 2012: Critical Review on the Findings

Symposium on PISA 2012:
Critical Review on the Findings
and how to Mapping the Actions
“Understanding PISA and Its Impact on Educational Effectiveness and Policy Initiatives”
13 - 15 October 2014
SEAMEO RECSAM, Penang, Malaysia
Organised by:
Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation
Regional Centre for Education in Science and Mathematics
(SEAMEO RECSAM)
In collaboration with:
• The Ministry of Education, Malaysia
• Regional Centre of Expertise, Universiti Sains Malaysia
Deadline for Early Bird Registration
Deadline for Normal Registration
Pre-Symposium Workshop
Symposium
Important Dates
13 August 2014
13 September 2014
13 October 2014
14 & 15 October 2014
Background
The results of PISA 2012 show that Asian countries outperform the other participated countries in reading, mathematics
and science literacy. Specifically, Shanghai-China, Chinese Taipei, Korea, Hong Kong-China and Japan are in the group
of top performing Asian countries. However, the five Southeast Asian countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand,
and Vietnam should deserve more attention on their diversity of achievement on PISA 2012. Singapore maintains the top
three countries in PISA 2012. Vietnam has shown great achievement in reading, mathematics and science literacy. In
contrast, the achievement on PISA 2012 in Indonesia (64), Malaysia (52) and Thailand (50) has revealed the challenges
to enhance students’ reading, mathematics and science literacy based on the relative lower average performance
compared to the average points in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.
With respect to this concern, this symposium provides an ideal platform to share and discuss various issues related to PISA
findings and to learn the best practices and policies from other participating countries. The input gathered from this
symposium will enable countries to identify the characteristics of the curriculum, schools, teachers and students that
contribute to students’ performance in reading, mathematics and science literacy and how the students apply the
knowledge in familiar settings, both in and outside of school to real life situations and be equipped for full participation in
society. Importantly, the input from the project will provide directions through constructive actions and strategies for the
improvement of mathematics and science teacher quality in enhancing student learning skills in the 21 st century.
Purpose
The aims of this symposium are to provide a platform for sharing and discussing the current issues raised from the
currently released PISA 2012 results (especially for Southeast Asia countries) and mapping constructive actions or
strategies or policies to improve the countries’ performance in reading, science and mathematics literacy.
Objectives

To share and develop understanding of PISA 2012 results across Southeast Asia countries and what can be learnt
from the top performing countries.

To identify the characteristics of the curriculum, schools, teachers and students that contribute to students’
performance in reading, mathematics and science literacy.

To provide exposition of the technical details behind these assessments, including the test design, the sampling
framework and estimation methods, with a focus on how these issues impact analysis choices.
Targeted Participants
Country policy makers, educators, practitioners, researchers and postgraduate students from SEAMEO members and
other countries are invited to participate in the symposium.
Symposium Theme
Understanding PISA and Its Impact on Educational Effectiveness and Policy Initiatives
Sub-Themes
1. Country performance at international benchmark.
2. Gender difference on reading, mathematics and science literacy.
3. School or/and student factors on student performance using PISA dataset.
4. Country factors on student performance.
5. Issues in analysing PISA database.
6. Others related topics.
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Petra Lietz, Principal Research fellow, National Surveys Division, Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER),
Adelaide, Australia.
13 Oct 2014
(Monday)
14 Oct 2014
(Tuesday)
15 Oct 2014
(Wednesday)
Tentative Programme
 Pre-symposium workshop: Understanding and Analysing PISA 2012
Database by Dr. Petra Lietz
 Opening Ceremony
 Keynote Address 1 by Dr. Petra Lietz
 Country Paper Presentations
 Photo Session
 Dinner & Networking
 Keynote Address 2
 Country Paper Presentations
 Panel Discussion
 Dialogue
Registration and Fees
The registration fee will cover admittance to the symposium, facilities, programme booklet, CD and refreshments.
Payments are to be made by bank draft/ telegraphic transfer/ local order made payable to the following address:
SEAMEO RECSAM
Bank A/C
: 557157000647
A/C Type
: Current Account
SWIFT Code : MBBEMYKLA
Bank Name : Malayan Banking Berhad
Add
: 345-H, Gelugor Club Building, 11700, Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia.
(All local and overseas charges are to be borne by the remitter)
Without Accommodation
Date
With Accommodation
Single Occupancy
Twin Sharing
Early Bird (by
Normal
Early Bird (by
Normal
13 August
(after 13
13 August
(after 13
2014)
August 2014)
2014)
August 2014)
Participant
Early Bird (by
13 August
2014)
Normal (after
13 August
2014)
13 October
2014 only
Local
International
RM 560
USD 180
RM 600
USD 200
RM 657
USD 219
RM 730
USD 243
RM 599
USD 200
RM 665
USD 222
14 & 15
October 2014
only
13, 14 & 15
October 2014
Local
International
RM 585
USD 198
RM 650
USD 220
RM 819
USD 273
RM 910
USD 303
RM 702
USD 234
RM 780
USD 260
Local
International
RM 945
USD 315
RM 1 050
USD 350
RM 1296
USD 432
RM 1 440
USD 480
RM 1121
USD 374
RM 1 245
USD 415
Cancellation Policy

50% refund for cancellation received not later than 13 September 2014.

No refund for cancellation received after 13 September 2014.

Substitutions will be allowed if authorised in writing by the original registrant and RM 50 paid as administrative
charges.

The organisers reserve the right to cancel or postpone the symposium.
Closing Date
Closing date for registration is 13 September 2014.
Enquiries
SEAMEO RECSAM (Research and Development Division)
Dr. Suhaidah Tahir
Tel: 604 6522 766 / [email protected]
Dr. Thien Lei Mee
Tel: 604 6522 773 / [email protected]
Ms Bhavani Ramasamy Tel: 604 6522 764 / [email protected]
Ms Jenny
Tel: 604 6522 761 / [email protected]
Venue
SEAMEO RECSAM
Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah,
11700 Gelugor,
Penang, Malaysia.
About SEAMEO RECSAM
SEAMEO RECSAM stands for Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation-Regional Centre for Education in
Science and Mathematics. Established by SEAMEO in May 1967, RECSAM is committed in promoting and enhancing the
quality of science and mathematics education in the SEAMEO member countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia,
Indonesia, Laos PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam. It is located in the
beautiful island of Penang, Malaysia.