First International Mathematics Study 1964
The First International Mathematics Study (FIMS) was administered with the aim to compare the effects of differences among the participating school systems in outcomes of achievement, interests, and attitudes in a field of schooling that was, at the time, undergoing various reforms in many countries.
Background
The choice of the subject matter was driven by recognizing the effort for improvement of scientific and technical education in many countries, at the basis of which lies learning mathematics. The so-called “New Mathematics”, as an indication of an international agreement on what essential new material should be included in the curriculum, had been introduced in some of the participating education systems.
The FIMS research questions were related to the organization, selection, and differentiation of educational systems; the curriculum and methods of instruction; and the sociological, technological, and economic characteristics of families, schools, and societies. The instruments included a student test, a student opinion booklet, and background questionnaires for students, teachers, school principals, and experts on education in the participating countries. The data were collected in 1964.
Target Populations
The target populations were 13-year-old students, 13-year-old grade-level students, and pre-university students.
Participating Educational Systems
Australia, Belgium, England, Finland, France, Germany (FRG), Israel, Japan, Netherlands, Scotland, Sweden, United States.
Link to the IEA website of early studies
Data and population
Data contains school, teacher and student levels.
Australia
- Data from Australia. Population 1 (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
- Data from Australia. Population 3 (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
Belgium
- Data from Belgium. Population 1 (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
- Data from Belgium. Population 3a (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
- Data from Belgium. Population 3b (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
England
- Data from England. Population 1 (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
- Data from England. Population 2 (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
- Data from England. Population 3a (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
- Data from England. Population 3b (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
Finland
- Data from Finland. Population 1 (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
- Data from Finland. Population 3a (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
- Data from Finland. Population 3b (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
France
- Data from France. Population 1 (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
- Data from France. Population 3a (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
- Data from France. Population 3b (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
Federal Republic Germany (FRG)
- Data from Germany. Population 1 (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
- Data from Germany. Population 3a (SPSS-files in zip archive)
- Data from Germany. Population 3b (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
Israel
- Data from Israel. Population 1 (SPSS-files in zip archive)
- Data from Israel. Population 2 (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
- Data from Israel. Population 3a (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
- Data from Israel. Population 3b (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
Japan
- Data from Japan. Population 1 (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
- Data from Japan. Population 2 (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
- Data from Japan. Population 3a (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
- Data from Japan. Population 3b (SPSS-filesb in zip-archive)
Netherlands
- Data from Netherlands. Population 1 (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
- Data from Netherlands. Population 3a (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
- Data from Netherlands. Population 3b (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
Scotland
- Data from Scotland. Population 1 (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
- Data from Scotland. Population 2 (SPSS-files in zip archive)
- Data from Scotland. Population 3a (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
- Data from Scotland. Population 3b (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
Sweden
- Data from Sweden. Population 1 (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
- Data from Sweden. Population 3a (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
- Data from Sweden. Population 3b (SPSS-files in zip-archive)
United States of America
Documentation
Technical Report
Codebook
The IEA First International Mathematics Study (FIMS1964) Codebook (pdf)
Sampling Design
Summary of The Sampling Design of FIMS (pdf)
Instruments
Population 1a - 1b
FIMS Student Background Questionnaire for population 1 (pdf)
Mathematics
- FIMS Test A in Mathematics for population 1 (pdf)
- FIMS Test B in Mathematics for population 1 (pdf)
- FIMS Test C in Mathematics for population 1 (pdf)
Population 2 - Optional
FIMS Student Background Questionnaire for population 2 and 3 (pdf)
Mathematics
- FIMS Test 3 in Mathematics for population 2 (pdf)
- FIMS Test 4 in Mathematics for population 2 (pdf)
- FIMS Test 5 in Mathematics for population 2 (pdf)
Population 3a - 3b
FIMS Student Background Questionnaire population 2 and 3 (pdf)
Population 3a
Mathematics
- FIMS Student Mathematics Test 5 for population 3a, 3b and Intermediate population (pdf)
- FIMS Student Mathematics Test 7 for population 3a (pdf)
- FIMS Student Mathematics Test 8 for population 3a (pdf)
- FIMS Student Mathematics Test 9 for population 3a (pdf)
Population 3b
Mathematics
- FIMS Student Mathematics Test 3 for population 3b and Intermediate population (pdf)
- FIMS Student Mathematics Test 5 for population 3a, 3b and Intermediate population (pdf)
- FIMS Student Mathematics Test 6 for population 3b (pdf)
School and Teacher
School Questionnaire
Teacher Questionnaire (not available)
Publications
International
Husén, T. (Ed.). (1967). A Comparison of Twelve Countries: International Study of Achievement in Mathematics (Vols. 1–2).
Postlethwaite, T.N. (Ed.). (1967). School Organization and Student Achievement: A Study Based on Achievement in Mathematics in Twelve Countries (pdf 14 MB).
Noonan, R. D. (1976). School resources, social class, and student achievement : a comparative study of school resource allocation and the social distribution of mathematics achievement in ten countries.