APPENDIX A: RECRUITMENT MATERIALS

State TIMSS/TIMSS Advanced Field Test Letter

School District TIMSS/TIMSS Advanced Field Test Letter

School TIMSS Field Test Letter

School TIMSS Advanced Field Test Letter

TIMSS 2015 Field Test Study Brochure

TIMSS 2015 Advanced Field Test Study Brochure

TIMSS 2015 Field Test FAQ

TIMSS 2015 Advanced Field Test FAQ

TIMSS 2015 Advanced Field Test Student FAQ

TIMSS 2015 Summary of Activities

TIMSS Advanced 2015 Summary of Activities
State TIMSS/TIMSS Advanced Field Test Letter

[Date]

[Title] [Name First] [Name Last]

[Title/Department]

[State]

[Address 1]

[Address 2]

[City], [State] [Zip code]

Dear [Title] [Name Last]:

The United States is participating in an important international study in 2015: the Trends in International Mathematics and 

Science Study (TIMSS). TIMSS is the longest ongoing international assessment. Since 1995, TIMSS has measured trends in 

academic achievement at grades 4 and 8 in countries around the world, including the United States. In 2015, TIMSS will also 

assess advanced mathematics and physics at grade 12. Known as “TIMSS Advanced,” this 12th grade assessment will 

provide educational policy makers with valuable information about how many high school students are excelling at highly 

specialized “STEM” (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) content in a global context. Results from these 

assessments are used by researchers and policymakers to chart national progress against international standards and other 

countries around the world, informing national discussions about international competitiveness.

Some schools in your state have been randomly selected to participate in the international field test for TIMSS or TIMSS 

Advanced this spring. I am writing to ask your agency to support the participation of those schools in the field test. The 

purpose of the field test is both to determine whether new questions are valid and fair for U.S. students and to help ensure 

that TIMSS field operations will be effective for the main study in 2015.

TIMSS is described in more detail in the enclosed materials. In the United States, TIMSS is sponsored by the National 

Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the U.S. Department of Education, and is conducted by Westat in Rockville, 

Maryland. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget has approved the data collection under OMB #1850-0695. For 

information on the confidentiality of the data collected, please see the enclosed FAQ. While participation in this study is 

voluntary, your support of school participation in your state is invaluable so that the United States has a representative 

sample of schools across the country.

Within the next few weeks, a representative of Westat will contact sampled school districts and schools to discuss 

participating in the field test. In the meantime, if you have questions about the study, please do not hesitate to call Dr. Chris 

Averett at (XXX) XXX-XXXX or send an email to TIMSS@westat.com. You may also get more information about these 

studies by contacting Dr. Stephen Provasnik at NCES at (202) 502-7480 or stephen.provasnik@ed.gov, or by visiting the 

TIMSS website at http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/timss.

Thank you for your time and support. 

Sincerely,

Jack Buckley 

NCES Commissioner

cc: [State assessment director]

Enclosures

NCES is authorized to conduct this study under the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002), 20 U.S. Code, § 9543. By law, the data provided by your schools, 

staff, and students may only be used for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose except as required by law (20 U.S. Code, § 

9573).
School District TIMSS/TIMSS Advanced Field Test Letter

[Date]

[Title] [Name First] [Name Last], [Title/Department]

[School District]

[Address 1]

[City], [State] [Zip code]

Dear [Title] [Name Last]:

The United States is participating in an important international study in 2015: the Trends in International Mathematics and 

Science Study (TIMSS). TIMSS is the longest ongoing international assessment. Since 1995, TIMSS has measured trends in 

academic achievement at grades 4 and 8 in countries around the world, including the United States. In 2015, TIMSS will also 

assess advanced mathematics and physics at grade 12. Known as “TIMSS Advanced,” this 12th grade assessment will 

provide educational policy makers with valuable information about how many high school students are excelling at highly 

specialized “STEM” (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) content in a global context. Results from these 

assessments are used by researchers and policymakers to chart national progress against international standards and other 

countries around the world, informing national discussions about international competitiveness.

The purpose of the field test is both to determine whether new questions are valid and fair for U.S. students and to help 

ensure that TIMSS field operations will be effective for the main study in 2015. Participating schools will receive $200, and 

each school’s TIMSS school coordinator (the school staff person designated to work with TIMSS staff) will receive $100 as a 

thank you for his or her time and effort. A parent/guardian questionnaire will be administered at grade 4. School 

coordinators at grade 4 will receive an additional $300 for achieving a high success rate in their assistance in this effort. Each 

student who participates will receive a small gift as a token of appreciation. 

 

TIMSS is described in more detail in the enclosed materials. In the United States, TIMSS is sponsored by the National 

Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the U.S. Department of Education, and is conducted by Westat in Rockville, 

Maryland. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget has approved the data collection under OMB #1850-0695. For 

information on the confidentiality of the data collected, please see the enclosed FAQ. While participation in this study is 

voluntary, your support of school participation in your district is invaluable so that the United States has a representative 

sample of schools across the country.

Within the next few days, a representative of Westat will contact the following school or schools in your district that have 

been selected for the field test: [LIST SAMPLED SCHOOLS HERE...].

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call 1-(XXX)-XXX-XXXX or send an email to TIMSS@westat.com. 

You may also get more information about this study by contacting Dr. Stephen Provasnik at NCES at (202) 502-7480 or 

stephen.provasnik@ed.gov, or by visiting the TIMSS website at http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/timss.

Thank you for your time and support. 

Jack Buckley 

NCES Commissioner

Enclosures

NCES is authorized to conduct this study under the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002), 20 U.S. Code, § 9543. By law, the data provided by your schools, 

staff, and students may only be used for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose except as required by law (20 U.S. Code, § 

9573).
School TIMSS Field Test Letter

[Date]

[Title] [Name First] [Name Last], [Title/Department]

[School District]

[Address 1]

[City], [State] [Zip code]

Dear [Title] [Name Last]:

The United States is participating in an important international study in 2015: the Trends in International Mathematics and 

Science Study (TIMSS). TIMSS is the longest ongoing international assessment. Since 1995, TIMSS has measured trends in 

academic achievement at grades 4 and 8 in countries around the world, including the United States. Results from these 

assessments are used by researchers and policymakers to chart national progress against international standards and other 

countries around the world, informing national discussions about international competitiveness.

TIMSS provides comparative information on the performance of U.S. grade 4 and 8 students with their counterparts in 

other countries. In preparation for TIMSS 2015, the U.S. is participating in a field test in the spring of 2014. The purpose of 

the field test is both to determine whether new questions are valid and fair for U.S. students and to help ensure that TIMSS 

field operations will be effective for the main study in 2015. Students who participate in the field test will receive a small 

token of appreciation. Your school’s TIMSS school coordinator (a staff person you designate to liaise with TIMSS staff) will 

receive $100 for his or her time and effort coordinating TIMSS in the school. [Additional text for grade 4 schools: Schools 

or school coordinators will receive an additional $300 for achieving a high participation rate of parents/guardians in 

completion of parent questionnaires.]

TIMSS is described in more detail in the enclosed materials. In the United States, TIMSS is sponsored by the National 

Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the U.S. Department of Education, and is conducted by Westat in Rockville, 

Maryland. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget has approved the data collection under OMB #1850-0695. For 

information on the confidentiality of the data collected, please see the enclosed FAQ. I hope you will participate in this 

voluntary study because it is important that the United States has a nationally representative sample of schools.

Within the next few days, a representative of Westat will contact you to discuss your participation. If you have any questions, 

please do not hesitate to call 1-(XXX)-XXX-XXXX or send an email to TIMSS@westat.com. You may also get more 

information about this study by contacting Dr. Stephen Provasnik at NCES at (202) 502-7480 or stephen.provasnik@ed.gov,

or by visiting the TIMSS website at http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/timss.

Your participation in the field test for TIMSS 2015 is very important to its success. Thank you for your time and for 

supporting this important international study.

Jack Buckley 

NCES Commissioner

Enclosures

NCES is authorized to conduct this study under the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002), 20 U.S. Code, § 9543. By law, the data provided by your school, 

staff, and students may only be used for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose except as required by law (20 U.S. Code, § 

9573).
School TIMSS Advanced Field Test Letter

[Date]

[Title] [Name First] [Name Last], [Title/Department]

[School District]

[Address 1]

[City], [State] [Zip code]

Dear [Title] [Name Last]:

The United States is participating in an important international study in 2015: the Trends in International Mathematics and 

Science Study (TIMSS). TIMSS is the longest ongoing international assessment. Since 1995, TIMSS has measured trends in 

academic achievement at grades 4 and 8 in countries around the world, including the United States. In 2015, TIMSS will also 

assess advanced mathematics and physics at grade 12. Known as “TIMSS Advanced,” this 12th grade assessment will 

provide educational policy makers with valuable information about how many high school students are excelling at highly 

specialized “STEM” (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) content in a global context. Results from these 

assessments are used by researchers and policymakers to chart national progress against international standards and other 

countries around the world, informing national discussions about international competitiveness.

TIMSS Advanced provides comparative information on the performance of 12th grade students taking advanced 

mathematics and physics courses with their counterparts in other countries. In preparation for the 2015 assessment, the U.S. 

is participating in a field test in the spring of 2014. The purpose of the field test is both to try out new questions and to help 

ensure that operational procedures will be effective in the 2015 assessment. Students who participate in the field test will 

receive a small token of appreciation. Your school’s TIMSS Advanced school coordinator (a staff person you designate to 

liaise with TIMSS staff) will receive $200 for his or her time and effort coordinating TIMSS in the school. 

TIMSS Advanced is described in more detail in the enclosed materials. TIMSS Advanced is sponsored in the United States 

by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in the U.S. Department of Education and is conducted by Westat in 

Rockville, Maryland. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget has approved the data collection under OMB #1850-0695. 

For information on the confidentiality of the data collected, please see the enclosed FAQ. I hope you will participate in this 

voluntary study because it is important that the United States has a nationally representative sample of schools.

Within the next few days, a representative of Westat will contact you to discuss your participation. If you have any questions, 

please do not hesitate to call 1-(XXX)-XXX-XXXX or send an email to TIMSS@westat.com. You may also get more 

information about this study by contacting Stephen Provasnik at NCES at (202) 502-7480 or Stephen.provasnik@ed.gov, or 

by visiting the TIMSS website at http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/timss .

Your participation in the field test for TIMSS 2015 Advanced is very important to its success. Thank you for your time and 

for supporting this important international study of preparedness for STEM careers.

Jack Buckley 

Commissioner

Enclosures

NCES is authorized to conduct this study under the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002), 20 U.S. Code, § 9543. By law, the data provided by your school, 

staff, and students may only be used for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose except as required by law (20 U.S. Code, § 

9573).
TIMSS 2015 Study Brochure Content: 8 1⁄2 X 11in Tri-fold

Title page:

TIMSS USA Logo

Map of world

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2015

Inside panels:

What is TIMSS?

The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is an international assessment and research 

project designed to measure trends in mathematics and science achievement at the fourth- and eighth-grade levels as 

well as school and teacher practices related to instruction. Since 1995, TIMSS has been administered every 4 years. 

TIMSS 2015, the sixth study in the series, will involve students from more than 61 countries, including the United 

States.

TIMSS is sponsored by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) and managed 

in the United States by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the U.S. Department of Education.

Why is TIMSS important?

TIMSS provides a unique opportunity to compare U.S. students’ math and science knowledge and skills at the fourthand eighth-grade levels with that of their peers in countries around the world. TIMSS complements what we learn 

from national assessments by identifying the strengths and weaknesses of student performance relative to students 

around the world. The results inform national discussions about education as well as international competitiveness.

TIMSS provides valuable benchmark information on how U.S. students compare to students around the world, allows 

educators and policymakers to examine other educational systems for practices that could have application to the 

United States, and contributes to ongoing discussions of ways to improve the quality of education of all students.

What type of assessment is TIMSS?

The TIMSS mathematics and science assessment is developed through an international consensus building process 

involving input from U.S. and international experts in mathematics, science, and measurement. In a final step, the 

assessment is endorsed as suitable by all participating countries. The assessment contains a mix of questions: some 

require students to select appropriate responses, while others require that students solve problems and provide 

written answers. Examples of released TIMSS items are available at http://nces.ed.gov/timss/educators.asp. 

Key findings from TIMSS 2011

Mathematics

 At grade 4, the U.S. average mathematics score (541) was higher than the TIMSS average of 500. The U.S. was 

among the top 15 education systems (8 education systems had higher averages and 6 were not measurably 

different) and scored higher, on average, than 42 education systems. The U.S. mathematics average at grade 4 

rose 12 points between 2007 and 2011. The U.S. was one of 12 education systems that increased its average score 

during this time period.

 At grade 8, the U.S. mathematics score (509) was higher than the TIMSS scale average of 500. The U.S. was among 

the top 24 education systems in mathematics (11 education systems had higher averages and 12 were not 

measurably different) and scored higher, on average, than 32 education systems. The U.S. mathematics average 

score at grade 8 was not measurably different than in 2007.

Science

 At grade 4, the U.S. average science score (544) was higher than the TIMSS scale average of 500. The U.S. was 

among the top 10 education systems (6 education systems had higher averages and 3 were not measurably 
different) and scored higher, on average, than 47 education systems. The U.S. science average score at grade 4 

was not measurably different than in 2007.

 At grade 8, the U.S. average science score (525) was higher than the TIMSS scale average of 500. The U.S. was 

among the top 23 education systems (12 education systems had higher averages and 10 were not measurably 

different) and scored higher, on average, than 33 education systems. The U.S. science average score at grade 8 

was not measurably different than in 2007.

Back panels:

Other information collected by TIMSS

TIMSS is more than an assessment of student knowledge in mathematics and science. TIMSS also considers the 

context in which learning occurs. Students, teachers, and schools are asked about a variety of aspects of the 

environments in which content is taught, learned, practiced, and applied. In this way, TIMSS provides each country 

with a rich source of information on the factors influencing mathematics and science achievement.
Participating education systems in TIMSS 2015

Countries

North and South America

Canada

Chile

United States

Europe

Austria

Belgium (Flemish)

Bulgaria

Croatia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

England

Finland

France

Georgia

Germany

Hungary

Ireland

Italy

Lithuania

Macedonia

Malta

The Netherlands

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Russian Federation

Serbia

Slovak Republic

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Turkey

Asia and Middle East

Armenia

Azerbaijan

Bahrain

Chinese Taipei

Hong Kong SAR

Iran, Islamic Rep. of

Israel

Japan

Jordan

Kazakhstan

Korea, Rep. of

Kuwait

Lebanon

Malaysia

Oman

Palestinian Nat’l Auth.

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

Singapore

Thailand

United Arab Emirates

Yemen

Africa

Botswana

Morocco

South Africa

Tunisia

Australia and Oceania

Australia

New Zealand

Benchmarking participants

Abu Dhabi, UAE

Alberta, Canada

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Dubai, UAE

Ontario, Canada

Quebec, Canada

NCES is authorized to conduct TIMSS under the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002), 20 U.S. Code, § 9543. 

Information collected will help the U.S. Department of Education’s ongoing efforts to benchmark student achievement in the 

United States. Participation is voluntary. By law, data collected may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be 

disclosed, or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose except as required by law (20 U.S. Code, § 9573). The U.S. Office of 

Management and Budget has approved the data collection under OMB # 1850-0695. Individual responses will be combined with 

those from other participants to produce summary statistics and reports.

TIMSS USA logo

IES / NCES logo

For questions about TIMSS 2015, contact the TIMSS Information Hotline at 1-888-XXX-XXXX or email 

TIMSS@westat.com.
TIMSS 2015 Advanced Study Brochure Content: 8 1⁄2 X 11in Tri-fold

Title page:

TIMSS Advanced USA Logo

Map of world

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) Advanced 2015

Inside panels:

What is TIMSS Advanced?

The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study Advanced (TIMSS Advanced) is an international 

assessment and research project designed to measure advanced mathematics and science achievement at the twelfth

grade, as well as school and teacher practices related to instruction. TIMSS Advanced was previously assessed in 1995 

and 2008, with the United State participating previously in 1995. In 2015, TIMSS Advanced will involve students from 

more than XX countries, including the United States.

TIMSS Advanced is sponsored by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) and 

managed in the United States by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the U.S. Department of 

Education.

Why is TIMSS Advanced important?

TIMSS Advanced provides a unique opportunity to compare the achievement of U.S. twelfth-grade students who have 

taken advanced mathematics or physics courses with that of their peers in countries around the world on advanced 

mathematics and physics content. TIMSS Advanced will provide educational policy makers with valuable information 

about how many students are excelling at highly specialized STEM content in a global context. The results inform 

national discussions about education, preparedness for postsecondary education, as well as international 

competitiveness.

TIMSS Advanced provides valuable benchmark information on how U.S. students compare to students around the 

world, allows educators and policymakers to examine other educational systems for practices that could have 

application to the United States, and contributes to ongoing discussions of ways to improve the quality of education of 

all students.

What type of assessment is TIMSS Advanced?

The TIMSS advanced mathematics and physics assessment is developed through an international consensus-building 

process involving input from U.S. and international experts in mathematics, science, and measurement. In a final step, 

the assessment is endorsed as suitable by all participating countries. The assessment contains a mix of questions: 

some require students to select appropriate responses, while others require that students solve problems and provide 

written answers. Examples of released TIMSS items are available at http://nces.ed.gov/timss/educators.asp. 

Back panels:

Other information collected by TIMSS

TIMSS is more than an assessment of student knowledge in advanced mathematics and physics. TIMSS also considers 

the context in which learning occurs. Students, teachers, and schools are asked about a variety of aspects of the 

environments in which content is taught, learned, practiced, and applied. In this way, TIMSS Advanced provides each 

country with a rich source of information on the factors influencing mathematics and science achievement.
Participating countries in TIMSS 2015 Advanced

Bulgaria

England

France

Georgia

Germany

Iran

Italy

Norway

Portugal

Romania

Russian Federation

Slovenia

Sweden

United States

NCES is authorized to conduct TIMSS under the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002), 20 U.S. Code, § 9543. 

Information collected will help the U.S. Department of Education’s ongoing efforts to benchmark student achievement in the 

United States. Participation is voluntary. By law, data collected may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be 

disclosed, or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose except as required by law (20 U.S. Code, § 9573). The U.S. Office of 

Management and Budget has approved the data collection under OMB # 1850-0695. Individual responses will be combined with 

those from other participants to produce summary statistics and reports.

TIMSS Advanced USA logo

IES / NCES logo

For questions about TIMSS 2015, contact the TIMSS Information Hotline at 1-888-XXX-XXXX or email 

TIMSS@westat.com.
TIMSS 2015 Field Test FAQ

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study

Frequently Asked Questions

TIMSS 2015 Field Test (Spring 2014)

<<Insert quote from previous TIMSS participating school>>

What is TIMSS?

The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is an international assessment and research 

project designed to measure trends in mathematics and science achievement at the fourth- and eighth-grade levels as 

well as school and teacher practices related to instruction. Since 1995, TIMSS has been administered every 4 years. 

TIMSS 2015, the sixth study in the series, will involve students from more than XX countries, including the United 

States. 

What is the field test for?

Field tests are a critical part of the development of test questions for assessments like TIMSS. Field tests (small-scale, 

trial runs of an assessment) allow assessment developers to try out new questions to determine their performance 

when administered to students around the world. The results of the U.S. field test will help assessment developers to 

determine specific wording or content that may put U.S. students at a disadvantage relative to students in other 

countries. It will also allow the U.S. to fine tune operational procedures for the 2015 assessment.

Why was my school selected for participation?

Your school was randomly selected so that the overall U.S. field test sample will be representative of the overall U.S. 

school population. Field-testing on a diverse sample of students from a variety of schools, locations, and backgrounds 

ensures that the assessment wording and concepts are not regionally, culturally, or socially biased.

Why should my school and students participate?

TIMSS informs national discussions about education policy as well as international competitiveness. By participating, 

students ensure fairness in the questions that will be used in the main study in 2015. Field-testing the assessment 

questions will identify specific wording and content that could disadvantage U.S. students in the main study. Students’ 

efforts in the field test help ensure that the achievement of our nation’s grade 4 and 8 students is accurately and fairly 

reported.

Is it possible that my school will be selected for the main study as well as the field test?

No, schools selected for the 2014 field test will not be selected for the 2015 main study.

Will all our fourth- or eighth-grade students be asked to participate?

Probably not. Two randomly selected classes will be selected to participate. In eighth grade, two randomly selected 

mathematics classes will be selected. Only in small schools with two or fewer classes will all students be selected to 

participate.

Who conducts the TIMSS assessment?

The entire assessment process will be conducted by trained staff from Westat, a research organization under contract 

with the National Center for Education Statistics in the U.S. Department of Education. NCES is authorized to conduct 

this study under the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002), 20 U.S. Code, § 9543, and approval of the 

U.S. Office of Management and Budget under OMB # 1850-0695.

How are teacher, school, and parent/guardian (grade 4 only) questionnaires administered?

The teacher, school, and parent/guardian questionnaires are administered online from a secure website. Teacher 

questionnaires take about 30 minutes to complete, and ask teachers questions about their experience, available 
resources, and instructional practices. School questionnaires take about 20 minutes to complete, and ask about school 

practices and resources. The parent questionnaire at grade 4 asks questions about the home environment, resources, 

and early literacy, numeracy, and science activities.

Do teachers need to help administer the assessment?

No, Westat field staff will visit the school on the day of the assessment, bringing with them all the materials required. 

These field staff will administer the assessments to students.

When will the field test be conducted?

The field test will be conducted between March XX and April XX 2014. Westat will work with schools to identify an 

assessment date convenient for the school in that time period.

Where will the field test be conducted?

The assessment will be conducted in the schools that are selected to participate.

How long does the field test take?

The field test will take approximately 2 1⁄2 hours to complete. This includes time for directions, the assessment, and a 

brief questionnaire that students complete about themselves.

What will happen with the collected data?

The field test data will be used to evaluate whether the assessment fairly and accurately measures student’s 

knowledge and skills in all participating countries. By law, the data provided by schools, staff, and students may be 

used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose except 

as required by law [Education Science Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002), 20 U.S. Code, Section 9573]. Reports of the 

findings from the field test will not identify participating districts, schools, students, parent/guardians, or individual 

staff. Individual responses will be combined with those of other participants to produce summary statistics and 

reports.

Where can I find more information about TIMSS?

Visit the TIMSS website at http://nces.ed.gov/timms. 

For additional information about TIMSS 2015, contact the TIMSS U.S. home office at 1-(XXX)-XXX-XXXX or email 

TIMSS@westat.com.
TIMSS 2015 Advanced Field Test FAQ

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study

Frequently Asked Questions

TIMSS Advanced 2015 Field Test (Spring 2014)

<<Insert quote from previous TIMSS participating school>>

What is TIMSS and TIMSS Advanced?

The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is an international assessment and research 

project designed to measure trends in mathematics and science achievement at the fourth- and eighth-grade levels as 

well as school and teacher practices related to instruction. Since 1995, TIMSS has been administered every 4 years. 

TIMSS 2015, the sixth study in the series, will involve students from more than XX countries, including the United 

States. 

TIMSS Advanced measures trends in advanced mathematics and physics achievement for students in their final year of 

secondary school. It will provide information about how many students are excelling at highly specialized STEM 

content in comparisons with countries around the world.

What is the field test for?

Field tests are a critical part of the development of test questions for assessments like TIMSS. Field tests (small-scale, 

trial runs of an assessment) allow assessment developers to try out new questions to determine their performance 

when administered to students around the world. The results of the U.S. field test will help assessment developers to 

determine specific wording or content that may put U.S. students at a disadvantage relative to students in other 

countries. It will also allow the U.S. to fine tune operational procedures for the 2015 assessment.

Why was my school selected for participation?

Your school was randomly selected so that the overall U.S. field test sample will be representative of the overall U.S. 

school population. Field-testing on a diverse sample of students from a variety of schools, locations, and backgrounds 

ensures that the assessment wording and concepts are not regionally, culturally, or socially biased.

Why should my school and students participate?

TIMSS Advanced informs national discussions about education policy as well as international competitiveness. By 

participating, students ensure fairness in the questions that will be used in the main study in 2015. Field-testing the 

assessment questions will identify specific wording and content that could disadvantage U.S. students in the main 

study. Students’ efforts in the field test help ensure that the achievement of our nation’s most prepared students in 

mathematics and physics is accurately and fairly reported.

Is it possible that my school will be selected for the main study as well as the field test?

No, schools selected for the 2014 field test will not be selected for the 2015 main study.

Will all our twelfth grade students be asked to participate?

No. Only twelfth grade students who have taken or are taking calculus or advanced physics courses are eligible to 

participate. A sample of 18 eligible students will be selected for each subject: advanced mathematics and physics.

Who conducts the TIMSS assessment?

The entire assessment process will be conducted by trained staff from Westat, a research organization under contract 

with the National Center for Education Statistics in the U.S. Department of Education. NCES is authorized to conduct 

this study under the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002), 20 U.S. Code, § 9543, and approval of the 

U.S. Office of Management and Budget under OMB # 1850-0695.
How are teacher and school questionnaires administered?

The teacher and school questionnaires are administered online from a secure website. Teacher questionnaires take 

about 30 minutes to complete, and ask teachers questions about their experience, available resources, and 

instructional practices. School questionnaires take about 20 minutes to complete, and ask about school practices and 

resources. 

Do teachers need to help administer the assessment?

No, Westat field staff will visit the school on the day of the assessment, bringing with them all the materials required. 

These field staff will administer the assessments to students.

When will the field test be conducted?

The field test will be conducted between March XX and April XX 2014. Westat will work with schools to identify an 

assessment date convenient for the school in that time period.

Where will the field test be conducted?

The assessment will be conducted in the schools that are selected to participate.

How long does the field test take?

The field test will take approximately 2 1⁄2 hours to complete. This includes time for directions, the assessment, and a 

brief questionnaire that students complete about themselves.

What will happen with the collected data?

The field test data will be used to evaluate whether the assessment fairly and accurately measures student’s 

knowledge and skills in all participating countries. By law, the data provided by schools, staff, and students may be 

used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose except 

as required by law [Education Science Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002), 20 U.S. Code, Section 9573]. Reports of the 

findings from the field test will not identify participating districts, schools, students, parent/guardians, or individual 

staff. Individual responses will be combined with those of other participants to produce summary statistics and 

reports.

Where can I find more information about TIMSS?

Visit the TIMSS website at http://nces.ed.gov/timms. 

For additional information about TIMSS 2015, contact the TIMSS U.S. home office at 1-(XXX)-XXX-XXXX or email 

TIMSS@westat.com.
TIMSS 2015 Advanced Field Test Student FAQ

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study

Frequently Asked Questions

Information for Students

What is TIMSS and TIMSS Advanced?

The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is an international assessment and research 

project designed to measure trends in mathematics and science achievement at the fourth- and eighth-grade levels as 

well as school and teacher practices related to instruction. Since 1995, TIMSS has been administered every 4 years. 

TIMSS 2015, the sixth study in the series, will involve students from more than XX countries, including the United 

States. 

TIMSS Advanced measures trends in advanced mathematics and physics achievement for students in their final year of 

secondary school. It will provide information about how many students are excelling at highly specialized STEM 

content in comparisons with countries around the world.

Think of TIMSS Advanced as an Olympics of the mind. 

Why should I participate in the TIMSS Advanced Field Test?

You represent other students like you all across the country—students who have excelled in school and taken the most 

challenging mathematics or science courses offered in high school. Given the link between scientific expertise and 

economic productivity, TIMSS Advanced informs discussions about U.S. education and international competitiveness. 

Your participation in the field test ensures fairness in the questions that will be used in the main study in 2015.

Only 1,400 students will participate in the TIMSS Advanced field test in the United States.

Participating in TIMSS Advanced is a national service. How often do you get to represent your country and 

show how well advanced students in science and mathematics in the U.S. compare with similar students in 

other countries?

What subjects are assessed in TIMSS Advanced?

You will take either an advanced mathematics assessment or a physics assessment. The advanced mathematics 

assessment will include questions about algebra, geometry, and calculus. The physics assessment will measure

advanced physics content typically taught in second year physics or AP physics courses. You will only be selected to 

take an assessment if you have taken or are taking relevant courses in advanced mathematics or physics.

How long does TIMSS Advanced take?

The TIMSS Advanced assessment takes approximately 2 1⁄2 hours to complete. This includes time for directions, the 

assessment, and a brief questionnaire about yourself and your educational experiences.

How does TIMSS Advanced select a representative sample of students?

The schools that participate in TIMSS Advanced in the United States are randomly selected from a list of all schools in 

the country that have twelfth grade students. Schools that do not offer the relevant advanced mathematics or physics 

course are eliminated. This is to ensure that the U.S. participants accurately represent schools in the whole United 

States that offer the relevant advanced mathematics or physics courses. In each TIMSS Advanced school, each twelfth

grade student who has taken advanced mathematics or physics courses has an equal chance of being selected. 

Participants in other countries are selected the same way to make sure each country is fairly represented and no 

country has an advantage.
Summary of School Activities: TIMSS 2015 Field Test

November-December 

2013

January-March 2014

Prior to assessment day

April-May 2014

Assessment day Benefits

Principal  Designate a school 

coordinator

 Complete a brief School 

Questionnaire on the 

characteristics of the school, its 

enrollment, resources, policies, 

and learning environment 

(available online or hardcopy)

 Share the importance of 

participation in the study with 

school staff

 Support assessment day 

activities

 Encourage students to 

participate and do their 

best on the assessment

 Represent other 

similar U.S. schools

 Receive a $200 check 

for the school

School 

coordinator

 Select an assessment 

date convenient for your 

school

 Arrange assessment day location

 Confirm date and location with 

TIMSS assessment staff

 Provide class lists and student 

lists through online MyTIMSS 

portal

 Notify teachers, selected 

students, and students’ parents 

of the study and benefit of 

participating

 Work with assessment staff to 

identify students with special 

needs

 Coordinate the principal’s 

completion of the School 

Questionnaire (online or 

hardcopy)

 Coordinate the teacher’s 

completion of the Teacher 

Questionnaire (online or 

hardcopy)

 Collect parental consent forms 

where required and submit to 

TIMSS staff

 Grade 4: Manage completion of 

Parent Questionnaire by selected 

students’ parents

 Confirm space for 

assessment is problemfree

 Collect complete School 

and Teacher 

Questionnaires (if not 

completed online) and 

give to assessment staff

 Ensure all sampled 

students attend the 

assessment session

 Meet with assessment 

staff and provide 

feedback about the 

assessment process

 Receive a $100 

personal check

 Grade 4: Receive a 

$300 personal check 

(or earn a $300 

donation to the school)

for reaching an 85% 

completion rate for the

Parent Questionnaire

Teachers of 

sampled 

classes

 Complete Teacher Questionnaire 

and return to school coordinator 

prior to assessment day (if not 

completed online)

 Represent the United 

States in preparations 

for the international 

study

Selected 

Students

 Attend the assessment 

session, complete the 

assessment and Student 

Questionnaire

 Receive a small thankyou gift

 Represent the United 

States in preparations 

for the international 

study

Westat 

assessment 

staff

 Work with the school to 

set an assessment date

 Help school coordinator 

with assessment details

and logistics

 Protect school and 

student confidentiality

 Call the school coordinator to 

discuss assessment day location

and student participation

 Select classroom sample and 

notify school of selected classes

 Provide School and Teacher 

Questionnaires to the school 

coordinator for distribution

 Conduct assessment 

from start to finish

 Furnish all the 

assessment materials, 

pencils, and test booklets

 Conduct a brief 

debriefing interview with 

the school coordinator at 

the end of the 

assessment

 Maintain security of all 

materials

 Ensure quality and 

uniformity of data 

collected across the 

United States

For additional information, go to http://nces.ed.gov/timss.
Summary of School Activities: TIMSS Advanced 2015 Field Test

November-December 

2013

January-March 2014

Prior to assessment day

April-May 2014

Assessment day Benefits

Principal  Designate a school 

coordinator

 Complete a brief School 

Questionnaire on the characteristics 

of the school, its enrollment, 

resources, policies, and learning 

environment (available online or 

hardcopy)

 Share the importance of 

participation in the study with school 

staff

 Support assessment day 

activities

 Encourage students to 

participate and do their 

best on the assessment

 Represent other 

similar U.S. 

schools

 Receive a $200 

check for the 

school

School 

coordinator

 Select an assessment 

date convenient for your 

school

 Arrange assessment day location

 Confirm date and location with 

TIMSS assessment staff

 Provide course catalogue, if not 

available online

 Provide current class lists and 

transcripts for grade 12 students 

through online MyTIMSS portal

 Notify teachers, selected students, 

and students’ parents of the study 

and benefit of participating

 Work with assessment staff to 

identify students with special needs

 Coordinate the principal’s 

completion of the School 

Questionnaire (online or hardcopy)

 Coordinate the teacher’s completion 

of the Teacher Questionnaire (online 

or hardcopy)

 Collect parental consent forms 

where required and submit to TIMSS 

staff

 Confirm space for 

assessment is problem-free

 Collect complete School 

and Teacher 

Questionnaires (if not 

completed online) and give 

to assessment staff

 Ensure all sampled 

students attend the 

assessment session

 Meet with assessment staff 

and provide feedback 

about the assessment 

process

 Receive a $100 

personal check

Teachers of 

eligible 

courses

 Complete Teacher Questionnaire and 

return to school coordinator prior to 

assessment day (if not completed 

online)

 Represent the 

United States in 

preparations for 

the international 

study

Selected 

Students

 Attend the assessment 

session, complete the 

assessment and Student 

Questionnaire

 Receive a small 

thank-you gift

 Represent the 

United States in 

preparations for 

the international 

study

Westat 

assessment 

staff

 Work with the school to 

set an assessment date

 Help school coordinator 

with assessment details

and logistics

 Protect school and 

student confidentiality

 Call the school coordinator to discuss 

assessment day location and student 

participation

 Select student sample and notify 

school of selected students

 Provide School and Teacher 

Questionnaires to the school 

coordinator for distribution

 Conduct assessment from 

start to finish

 Furnish all the assessment 

materials, pencils, and test 

booklets

 Conduct a brief debriefing

interview with the school 

coordinator at the end of 

the assessment

 Maintain security of all 

materials

 Ensure quality 

and uniformity of 

data collected 

across the United 

States

For additional information, go to http://nces.ed.gov/timss. 
Appendix B: TIMSS 2015 Field Test Consent Letters and Supporting Materials

TIMSS Field Test Sample Notification Letter: Grade 4

TIMSS Field Test Sample Notification Letter: Grade 8

TIMSS Field Test Sample Implicit Consent Letter: Grade 4

TIMSS Field Test Sample Implicit Consent Letter: Grade 8

TIMSS Implicit Consent Form: Grades 4 and 8

TIMSS Field Test Sample Explicit Consent Letter: Grade 4

TIMSS Field Test Sample Explicit Consent Letter: Grade 8

TIMSS Explicit Consent Form: Grades 4 and 8

TIMSS Advanced Field Test Sample Notification Letter

TIMSS Advanced Field Test Sample Implicit Consent Letter

TIMSS Advanced Implicit Consent Form

TIMSS Advanced Field Test Sample Explicit Consent Letter

TIMSS Advanced Explicit Consent Form

TIMSS Facts for Parents About the Field Test

TIMSS Advanced Facts for Parents About the Field Test
TIMSS Field Test Sample Notification Letter: Grade 4

SCHOOL LETTERHEAD

Dear Parent or Guardian,

This letter is to inform you about an important international study of student learning being conducted in our school 

this spring. The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) provides important information for 

benchmarking student performance in mathematics and science at grades 4 and 8 in the United States against 

countries around the world. Since 1995, TIMSS has measured worldwide trends in student knowledge of mathematics 

and science. The next TIMSS assessment will be in the spring of 2015.

Each time the study is done, new questions need to be developed and tested to ensure that those questions accurately 

measure the knowledge and skills of students. In spring 2014, new questions will be tested in approximately 40 

elementary schools in the United States. This field test will allow test developers to modify or delete questions that are 

not fair and reliable across participating countries.

Our school has accepted an invitation from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the U.S. 

Department of Education, to participate in the TIMSS field test. {Insert number} of our 4th grade classes will take part. 

{This/One of these} is your child’s class. The enclosed summary sheet provides some background information about 

TIMSS, explains what is involved for each student selected to participate in the study, and gives a contact phone 

number and email address where you can find answers to any questions you might have.

To have an accurate picture of what U.S. 4th graders can do in mathematics and science, it is important that each 

student selected take part in the study. In addition to answering mathematics and science questions, students will be 

asked to complete a brief questionnaire about themselves. I urge you to support this effort by encouraging your child 

to take part; however, participation in this study is entirely voluntary. Previous experience suggests that students 

actually enjoy taking part, and participating students will receive a small gift, which we think they will like. 

For the first time, TIMSS will also include a parent/guardian questionnaire, which can be completed online. The survey 

asks about your child’s early learning experiences. The study is interested in what you and your child do and what you 

think about different things related to your child’s school. This information will be very useful for helping understand 

how young children learn about numbers and science and for helping to improve the teaching and learning of 

mathematics and science for all children. {Insert School Coordinator name} will send you a link to the online survey. If 

you prefer to complete the survey on paper, please let me know and we will send you a paper copy.

All of the information collected is safeguarded, as required by law. NCES is authorized to conduct this study under the 

Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA, 2002), 20 U.S. Code, Section 9543. Under that law, the data provided by 

schools, staff, and students may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable 

form for any other purpose except as required by law (20 U.S.C., § 9573). Students and schools are never identified in 

any reports. All reported statistics refer to the United States as a whole.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about this important study. 

Sincerely,

[School official]

Enclosures: 

Facts for Parents about the TIMSS Field Test
TIMSS Field Test Sample Notification Letter: Grade 8

SCHOOL LETTERHEAD

Dear Parent or Guardian,

This letter is to inform you about an important international study of student learning being conducted in our school 

this spring. The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) provides important information for 

benchmarking student performance in mathematics and science at grades 4 and 8 in the United States against 

countries around the world. Since 1995, TIMSS has measured worldwide trends in student knowledge of mathematics 

and science. The next TIMSS assessment will be in the spring of 2015.

Each time the study is done, new questions need to be developed and tested to ensure that those questions accurately 

measure the knowledge and skills of students. In spring 2014, new 8th grade questions will be tested in approximately 

40 schools in the United States. This field test will allow test developers to modify or delete questions that are not 

reliable and fair across participating countries.

Our school has accepted an invitation from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the U.S. 

Department of Education, to participate in the TIMSS field test. {Insert number} of our 8th grade classes will take part. 

{This/One of these} is your child’s class. The enclosed summary sheet provides some background information about 

TIMSS, explains what is involved for each student selected to participate in the study, and gives a contact phone 

number and email address where you can find answers to any questions you might have.

To have an accurate picture of what U.S. 8th graders can do in mathematics and science, it is important that each 

student selected take part in the study. In addition to answering mathematics and science questions, students will be 

asked to complete a brief questionnaire about themselves. I urge you to support this effort by encouraging your child 

to take part; however, participation in this study is entirely voluntary. Previous experience suggests that students 

actually enjoy taking part, and participating students will receive a small gift, which we think they will like. 

All of the information collected is safeguarded, as required by law. NCES is authorized to conduct this study under the 

Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA, 2002), 20 U.S. Code, Section 9543. Under that law, the data provided by 

schools, staff, and students may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable 

form for any other purpose except as required by law (20 U.S.C., § 9573). Students and schools are never identified in 

any reports. All reported statistics refer to the United States as a whole.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about this important study. 

Sincerely,

[School Official]

Enclosures: 

Facts for Parents about the TIMSS Field Test
TIMSS Field Test Sample Implicit Consent Letter: Grade 4

SCHOOL LETTERHEAD

Dear Parent or Guardian,

This letter is to inform you about an important international study of student learning being conducted in our school 

this spring. The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) provides important information for 

benchmarking student performance in mathematics and science at grades 4 and 8 in the United States against 

countries around the world. Since 1995, TIMSS has measured worldwide trends in student knowledge of mathematics 

and science. The next TIMSS assessment will be in the spring of 2015.

Each time the study is done, new questions need to be developed and tested to ensure that those questions accurately 

measure the knowledge and skills of students. In spring 2014, new questions will be tested in approximately 40 

elementary schools in the United States. This field test will allow test developers to modify or delete questions that are 

not reliable and fair across participating countries.

Our school has accepted an invitation from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the U.S. 

Department of Education, to participate in the TIMSS field test. {Insert number} of our 4th grade classes will take part. 

{This/One of these} is your child’s class. The enclosed summary sheet provides some background information about 

TIMSS, explains what is involved for each student selected to participate in the study, and gives a contact phone 

number and email address where you can find answers to any questions you might have.

To have an accurate picture of what U.S. 4th graders can do in mathematics and science, it is important that each 

student selected take part in the study. In addition to answering mathematics and science questions, students will be 

asked to complete a brief questionnaire about themselves. I urge you to support this effort by encouraging your child 

to take part; however, participation in this study is entirely voluntary. Previous experience suggests that students 

actually enjoy taking part, and participating students will receive a small gift, which we think they will like. 

For the first time, TIMSS will also include a parent/guardian questionnaire, which can be completed online. The survey 

asks about your child’s early learning experiences. The study is interested in what you and your child do and what you 

think about different things related to your child’s school. This information will be very useful for helping understand 

how young children learn about numbers and science and for helping to improve the teaching and learning of 

mathematics and science for all children. {Insert School Coordinator name} will send you a link to the online survey. If 

you prefer to complete the survey on paper, please let me know and we will send you a paper copy.

All of the information collected is safeguarded, as required by law. NCES is authorized to conduct this study under the 

Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA, 2002), 20 U.S. Code, Section 9543. Under that law, the data provided by 

schools, staff, and students may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable 

form for any other purpose except as required by law (20 U.S.C., § 9573). Students and schools are never identified in 

any reports. All reported statistics refer to the United States as a whole.

If you have any objection to your child joining in the TIMSS activities, please let us know by completing the attached 

consent form and returning it to the school.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about this important study. 

Sincerely,

[School Official]

Enclosures: 

Facts for Parents about the TIMSS Field Test

Parent/Guardian Consent Form
TIMSS Field Test Sample Implicit Consent Letter: Grade 8

SCHOOL LETTERHEAD

Dear Parent or Guardian,

This letter is to inform you about an important international study of student learning being conducted in our school 

this spring. The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) provides important information for 

benchmarking student performance in mathematics and science at grades 4 and 8 in the United States against 

countries around the world. Since 1995, TIMSS has measured worldwide trends in student knowledge of mathematics 

and science. The next TIMSS assessment will be in the spring of 2015.

Each time the study is done, new questions need to be developed and tested to ensure that those questions accurately 

measure the knowledge and skills of students. In spring 2014, new 8th grade questions will be tested in approximately 

40 schools in the United States. This field test will allow test developers to modify or delete questions that are not 

reliable and fair across participating countries.

Our school has accepted an invitation from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the U.S. 

Department of Education, to participate in the TIMSS field test. {Insert number} of our 8th grade classes will take part. 

{This/One of these} is your child’s class. The enclosed summary sheet provides some background information about 

TIMSS, explains what is involved for each student selected to participate in the study, and gives a contact phone 

number and email address where you can find answers to any questions you might have.

To have an accurate picture of what U.S. 8th graders can do in mathematics and science, it is important that each 

student selected take part in the study. In addition to answering mathematics and science questions, students will be 

asked to complete a brief questionnaire about themselves. I urge you to support this effort by encouraging your child 

to take part; however, participation in this study is entirely voluntary. Previous experience suggests that students 

actually enjoy taking part, and participating students will receive a small gift, which we think they will like. 

All of the information collected is safeguarded, as required by law. NCES is authorized to conduct this study under the 

Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA, 2002), 20 U.S. Code, Section 9543. Under that law, the data provided by 

schools, staff, and students may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable 

form for any other purpose except as required by law (20 U.S.C., § 9573). Students and schools are never identified in 

any reports. All reported statistics refer to the United States as a whole.

If you have any objection to your child joining in the TIMSS activities, please let us know by completing the attached 

consent form and returning it to the school.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about this important study. 

Sincerely,

[School Official]

Enclosures: 

Facts for Parents about the TIMSS Field Test

Parent/Guardian Consent Form
TIMSS Implicit Consent Form: Grades 4 and 8

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 

Field Test

Parent/Guardian Consent Form

Your child has been asked to participate in a field test of an international study of student learning called the 

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Each student who participates will receive a 

small gift. This assessment will be conducted by a team of researchers from Westat, who are operating under 

contract on behalf of the U. S. Department of Education. In spring 2014, new 4

th and 8th grade questions will be 

tested in approximately 80 schools in the United States in preparation for the 2015 international study. This field 

test will allow test developers to modify or delete questions that are not reliable or fair.

If you grant permission for your child to participate in the TIMSS field test, you do not need to return 

this form.

If you do not consent to your child’s participation in the TIMSS field test, please return this form to your 

child’s school as soon as possible.

I do not grant permission for my child, _______________________________, to participate in the Trends in 

International Mathematics and Science Study Field Test.

__________________________________________________________________

(Signature of parent or guardian)

Date of signature: _______/_______/____________

PLEASE PRINT:

Student name: _____________________________________________

School name: ______________________________________________

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY:

Student ID: ________________________________________________
TIMSS Field Test Sample Explicit Consent Letter: Grade 4

SCHOOL LETTERHEAD

Dear Parent or Guardian,

This letter is to inform you about an important international study of student learning being conducted in our school 

this spring. The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) provides important information for 

benchmarking student performance in mathematics and science at grades 4 and 8 in the United States against 

countries around the world. Since 1995, TIMSS has measured worldwide trends in student knowledge of mathematics 

and science. The next TIMSS assessment will be in the spring of 2015.

Each time the study is done, new questions need to be developed and tested to ensure that those questions accurately 

measure the knowledge and skills of students. In spring 2014, new questions will be tested in approximately 40 

elementary schools in the United States. This field test will allow test developers to modify or delete questions that are 

not reliable and fair across participating countries.

Our school has accepted an invitation from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the U.S. 

Department of Education, to participate in the TIMSS field test. {Insert number} of our 4th grade classes will take part. 

{This/One of these} is your child’s class. The enclosed summary sheet provides some background information about 

TIMSS, explains what is involved for each student selected to participate in the study, and gives a contact phone 

number and email address where you can find answers to any questions you might have.

To have an accurate picture of what U.S. 4th graders can do in mathematics and science, it is important that each 

student selected take part in the study. In addition to answering mathematics and science questions, students will be 

asked to complete a brief questionnaire about themselves. I urge you to support this effort by encouraging your child 

to take part; however, participation in this study is entirely voluntary. Previous experience suggests that students 

actually enjoy taking part, and participating students will receive a small gift, which we think they will like. 

For the first time, TIMSS will also include a parent/guardian questionnaire, which can be completed online. The survey 

asks about your child’s early learning experiences. The study is interested in what you and your child do and what you 

think about different things related to your child’s school. This information will be very useful for helping understand 

how young children learn about numbers and science and for helping to improve the teaching and learning of 

mathematics and science for all children. {Insert School Coordinator name} will send you a link to the online survey. If 

you prefer to complete the survey on paper, please let me know and we will send you a paper copy.

All of the information collected is safeguarded, as required by law. NCES is authorized to conduct this study under the 

Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA, 2002), 20 U.S. Code, Section 9543. Under that law, the data provided by 

schools, staff, and students may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable 

form for any other purpose except as required by law (20 U.S.C., § 9573). Students and schools are never identified in 

any reports. All reported statistics refer to the United States as a whole.

Before we can allow your child to join in the TIMSS activities, we must have your written consent. Please let us know 

by completing the attached form and returning it to the school.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about this important study and to consider your child’s participation in it.

Sincerely,

[School Official]

Enclosures: 

Facts for Parents about the TIMSS Field Test

Parent/Guardian Consent Form
TIMSS Field Test Sample Explicit Consent Letter: Grade 8

SCHOOL LETTERHEAD

Dear Parent or Guardian,

This letter is to inform you about an important international study of student learning being conducted in our school 

this spring. The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) provides important information for 

benchmarking student performance in mathematics and science at grades 4 and 8 in the United States against 

countries around the world. Since 1995, TIMSS has measured worldwide trends in student knowledge of mathematics 

and science. The next TIMSS assessment will be in the spring of 2015.

Each time the study is done, new questions need to be developed and tested to ensure that those questions accurately 

measure the knowledge and skills of students. In spring 2014, new 8th grade questions will be tested in approximately 

40 schools in the United States. This field test will allow test developers to modify or delete questions that are not 

reliable and fair across participating countries.

Our school has accepted an invitation from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the U.S. 

Department of Education, to participate in the TIMSS field test. {Insert number} of our 8th grade classes will take part. 

{This/One of these} is your child’s class. The enclosed summary sheet provides some background information about 

TIMSS, explains what is involved for each student selected to participate in the study, and gives a contact phone 

number and email address where you can find answers to any questions you might have.

To have an accurate picture of what U.S. 8th graders can do in mathematics and science, it is important that each 

student selected take part in the study. In addition to answering mathematics and science questions, students will be 

asked to complete a brief questionnaire about themselves. I urge you to support this effort by encouraging your child 

to take part; however, participation in this study is entirely voluntary. Previous experience suggests that students 

actually enjoy taking part, and participating students will receive a small gift, which we think they will like. 

All of the information collected is safeguarded, as required by law. NCES is authorized to conduct this study under the 

Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA, 2002), 20 U.S. Code, Section 9543. Under that law, the data provided by 

schools, staff, and students may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable 

form for any other purpose except as required by law (20 U.S.C., § 9573). Students and schools are never identified in 

any reports. All reported statistics refer to the United States as a whole.

Before we can allow your child to join in the TIMSS activities, we must have your written consent. Please let us know 

by completing the attached form and returning it to the school. 

Thank you for taking the time to learn about this important study and to consider your child’s participation in it.

Sincerely,

[School Official]

Enclosures: 

Facts for Parents about the TIMSS Field Test

Parent/Guardian Consent Form
TIMSS Explicit Consent Form: Grades 4 and 8

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)

Field Test

Parent/Guardian Consent Form

Your child has been asked to participate in a field test of an international study of student learning called the 

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Each student who participates will receive a 

small gift. This assessment will be conducted by a team of researchers from Westat, who are operating under 

contract on behalf of the U. S. Department of Education. In spring 2014, new 4

th and 8th grade questions will be 

tested in approximately 80 schools in the United States in preparation for the 2015 international study. This field 

test will allow test developers to modify or delete questions that are not reliable or fair.

 Yes, I grant permission for my child to participate in the TIMSS field test.

 No, I do not grant permission for my child to participate in the TIMSS field test.

__________________________________________________________________

(Signature of parent or guardian)

Date of signature: _______/_______/____________

PLEASE PRINT:

Student name: _____________________________________________

School name: ______________________________________________

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY:

Student ID: ________________________________________________
TIMSS Advanced Field Test Sample Notification Letter

SCHOOL LETTERHEAD

Dear Parent or Guardian,

This letter is to inform you about an important international study of student learning being conducted in our school 

this spring. The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) provides important information for 

benchmarking student performance in mathematics and science in the United States against countries around the 

world. Since 1995, TIMSS has measured worldwide trends in student knowledge of mathematics and science at grades 

4 and 8. The next TIMSS assessment will be in the spring of 2015, and will include a TIMSS Advanced component at 

grade 12.

TIMSS Advanced measures advanced mathematics and physics achievement for students in their final year of 

secondary school. It will provide information about how many students are excelling at highly specialized science and 

mathematics content in comparison with countries around the world. In the United States, TIMSS Advanced students 

have taken or are taking calculus, or an advanced physics course.

Each time the study is done, new questions need to be developed and tested to ensure that those questions accurately 

measure the knowledge and skills of students. In spring 2014, new TIMSS Advanced questions will be tested in 

approximately 35 high schools in the United States. This field test will allow test developers to modify or delete 

questions that are not reliable and fair across participating countries.

Our school has accepted an invitation from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), U.S. Department of 

Education, to participate in the TIMSS Advanced field test. A select few of our high achieving students will participate, 

along with your teenager. The enclosed summary sheet provides some background information about TIMSS

Advanced, explains what is involved for each student selected to participate in the study, and gives a contact phone 

number and email address where you can find answers to any questions you might have.

To have an accurate picture of what U.S. 12th graders who have taken calculus or advanced physics can do, it is 

important that each student selected take part in the study. In addition to answering mathematics and physics

questions, students will be asked to complete a brief questionnaire about themselves. I urge you to support this effort 

by encouraging your teenager to take part; however, participation in this study is entirely voluntary. Previous 

experience suggests that students actually enjoy taking part, and participating students will receive a small gift, which 

we think they will like. 

All of the information collected is safeguarded, as required by law. NCES is authorized to conduct this study under the 

Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA, 2002), 20 U.S. Code, Section 9543. Under that law, the data provided by 

schools, staff, and students may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable 

form for any other purpose except as required by law (20 U.S.C., § 9573). Students and schools are never identified in 

any reports. All reported statistics refer to the United States as a whole.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about this important study. 

Sincerely,

[School Official]

Enclosures: 

Facts for Parents about the TIMSS Advanced Field Test
TIMSS Advanced Field Test Sample Implicit Consent Letter

SCHOOL LETTERHEAD

Dear Parent or Guardian,

This letter is to inform you about an important international study of student learning being conducted in our school 

this spring. The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) provides important information for 

benchmarking student performance in mathematics and science in the United States against countries around the 

world. Since 1995, TIMSS has measured worldwide trends in student knowledge of mathematics and science at grades 

4 and 8. The next TIMSS assessment will be in the spring of 2015, and will include a TIMSS Advanced component at 

grade 12.

TIMSS Advanced measures advanced mathematics and physics achievement for students in their final year of 

secondary school. It will provide information about how many students are excelling at highly specialized science and 

mathematics content in comparison with countries around the world. In the United States, TIMSS Advanced students 

have taken or are taking calculus, or an advanced physics course.

Each time the study is done, new questions need to be developed and tested to ensure that those questions accurately 

measure the knowledge and skills of students. In spring 2014, new TIMSS Advanced questions will be tested in 

approximately 35 high schools in the United States. This field test will allow test developers to modify or delete 

questions that are not reliable and fair across participating countries.

Our school has accepted an invitation from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), U.S. Department of 

Education, to participate in the TIMSS Advanced field test. A select few of our high achieving students will participate, 

along with your teenager. The enclosed summary sheet provides some background information about TIMSS

Advanced, explains what is involved for each student selected to participate in the study, and gives a contact phone 

number and email address where you can find answers to any questions you might have.

To have an accurate picture of what U.S. 12th graders who have taken calculus or advanced physics can do, it is 

important that each student selected take part in the study. In addition to answering mathematics and physics

questions, students will be asked to complete a brief questionnaire about themselves. I urge you to support this effort 

by encouraging your teenager to take part; however, participation in this study is entirely voluntary. Previous 

experience suggests that students actually enjoy taking part, and participating students will receive a small gift, which 

we think they will like. 

All of the information collected is safeguarded, as required by law. NCES is authorized to conduct this study under the 

Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA, 2002), 20 U.S. Code, Section 9543. Under that law, the data provided by 

schools, staff, and students may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable 

form for any other purpose except as required by law (20 U.S.C., § 9573). Students and schools are never identified in 

any reports. All reported statistics refer to the United States as a whole.

If you have any objection to your teenager joining in the TIMSS activities, please let us know by completing the 

attached consent form and returning it to the school.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about this important study. 

Sincerely,

[School Official]

Enclosures: 

Facts for Parents about the TIMSS Advanced Field Test

Parent/Guardian Consent Form
TIMSS Advanced Implicit Consent Form

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) Advanced

Field Test

Parent/Guardian Consent Form

Your teenager has been asked to participate in a field test of an international study of student learning called the 

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) Advanced. Each student who participates will 

receive a small gift. This assessment will be conducted by a team of researchers from Westat, who are operating 

under contract on behalf of the U. S. Department of Education. In spring 2014, new advanced mathematics and 

physics questions will be tested in approximately 40 schools in the United States in preparation for the 2015 

international study. This field test will allow test developers to modify or delete questions that are not reliable or 

fair.

If you grant permission for your teenager to participate in the TIMSS field test, you do not need to return 

this form.

If you do not consent to your teenager’s participation in the TIMSS field test, please return this form to 

your teenager’s school as soon as possible.

I do not grant permission for my teenager, _______________________________, to participate in the Trends 

in International Mathematics and Science Study Field Test.

__________________________________________________________________

(Signature of parent or guardian)

Date of signature: _______/_______/____________

PLEASE PRINT:

Student name: _____________________________________________

School name: ______________________________________________

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY:

Student ID: ________________________________________________
TIMSS Advanced Field Test Sample Explicit Consent Letter

SCHOOL LETTERHEAD

Dear Parent or Guardian,

This letter is to inform you about an important international study of student learning being conducted in our school this 

spring. The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) provides important information for 

benchmarking student performance in mathematics and science in the United States against countries around the world. 

Since 1995, TIMSS has measured worldwide trends in student knowledge of mathematics and science at grades 4 and 8. The 

next TIMSS assessment will be in the spring of 2015, and will include a TIMSS Advanced component at grade 12.

TIMSS Advanced measures advanced mathematics and physics achievement for students in their final year of secondary 

school. It will provide information about how many students are excelling at highly specialized science and mathematics 

content in comparison with countries around the world. In the United States, TIMSS Advanced students have taken or are 

taking calculus, or an advanced physics course.

Each time the study is done, new questions need to be developed and tested to ensure that those questions accurately 

measure the knowledge and skills of students. In spring 2014, new TIMSS Advanced questions will be tested in 

approximately 35 high schools in the United States. This field test will allow test developers to modify or delete questions 

that are not reliable and fair across participating countries.

Our school has accepted an invitation from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), U.S. Department of 

Education, to participate in the TIMSS Advanced field test. A select few of our high achieving students will participate, along 

with your teenager. The enclosed summary sheet provides some background information about TIMSS Advanced, explains 

what is involved for each student selected to participate in the study, and gives a contact phone number and email address 

where you can find answers to any questions you might have.

To have an accurate picture of what U.S. 12th graders who have taken calculus or advanced physics can do, it is important 

that each student selected take part in the study. In addition to answering mathematics and physics questions, students will 

be asked to complete a brief questionnaire about themselves. I urge you to support this effort by encouraging your teenager 

to take part; however, participation in this study is entirely voluntary. Previous experience suggests that students actually

enjoy taking part, and participating students will receive a small gift, which we think they will like. 

All of the information collected is safeguarded, as required by law. NCES is authorized to conduct this study under the 

Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA, 2002), 20 U.S. Code, Section 9543. Under that law, the data provided by 

schools, staff, and students may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable form 

for any other purpose except as required by law (20 U.S.C., § 9573). Students and schools are never identified in any reports. 

All reported statistics refer to the United States as a whole.

Before we can allow your teenager to join in the TIMSS activities, we must have your written consent. Please let us know by 

completing the attached form and returning it to the school.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about this important study and to consider your teenager’s participation in it.

Sincerely,

[School Official]

Enclosures: 

Facts for Parents about the TIMSS Advanced Field Test

Parent/Guardian Consent Form
TIMSS Advanced Explicit Consent Form

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) Advanced

Field Test

Parent/Guardian Consent Form

Your teenager has been asked to participate in a field test of an international study of student learning called the 

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) Advanced. Each student who participates will 

receive a small gift. This assessment will be conducted by a team of researchers from Westat, who are operating 

under contract on behalf of the U. S. Department of Education. In spring 2014, new advanced mathematics and 

physics questions will be tested in approximately 40 schools in the United States in preparation for the 2015 

international study. This field test will allow test developers to modify or delete questions that are not reliable or 

fair.

 Yes, I grant permission for my teenager to participate in the TIMSS Advanced field test.

 No, I do not grant permission for my teenager to participate in the TIMSS Advanced field test.

__________________________________________________________________

(Signature of parent or guardian)

Date of signature: _______/_______/____________

PLEASE PRINT:

Student name: _____________________________________________

School name: ______________________________________________

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY:

Student ID: ________________________________________________
TIMSS Facts for Parents About the Field Test: Grade 4

Facts for Parents

About the TIMSS Field Test

Between April and May of this year, your child’s school will be one of about 40 nationwide taking part in the 

TIMSS 2015 Field Test. The schools were selected randomly to represent the nation’s schools and, within each 

school, 4th grade students were selected randomly to represent the nation’s 4th graders. Your child was among 

those students selected to take part in the TIMSS field test.

What is TIMSS?

TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) is an international assessment that measures 

student learning in mathematics and science. Every four years since 1995, TIMSS documents worldwide trends in 

the knowledge of 4th graders. The National Center for Education Statistics within the U.S. Department of 

Education sponsors U.S. participation in TIMSS. Along with more than 60 other nations, the U.S. will take part in 

the 2015 TIMSS cycle as we did in 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011.

What is the purpose of the TIMSS Field Test?

Each time the study is done, new assessment questions need to be developed and tested to ensure that those 

questions accurately measure the knowledge and skills of students. This field test will allow test developers to 

modify or delete questions that are reliable and fair for students in the United States.

What is involved?

TIMSS staff will visit the school and administer the field test. The field test will take approximately 2 1⁄2 hours. 

The assessment is 72 minutes with breaks between sections. Students will also be asked some questions about 

themselves and their educational experience. For the first time, TIMSS will also involve a short parent/guardian 

questionnaire that we will ask you to complete. The information from this questionnaire will be very useful for 

helping understand how young children learn about numbers and science and for helping to improve the teaching 

and learning for all children. Participation in the study is voluntary.

What are the benefits?

The nation as a whole benefits from TIMSS by having a greater understanding of how the knowledge and skills of 

U.S. 4th graders compare with those of 4th graders from other countries. The country benefits from the field test 

by ensuring that the questions used in the main study are fair and appropriate for U.S. students. Schools that 

participate in TIMSS will receive $200, and each student who participates will receive a small gift that we believe 

they will like. Schools where most parents complete the questionnaire will receive an additional $300.

Who administers TIMSS?

The entire assessment is administered by trained staff from Westat, a research organization under contract to the 

U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics.
All of the information collected is safeguarded, as required by law. NCES is authorized to conduct this study 

under the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA, 2002), 20 U.S. Code, Section 9543. Under that law, the 

data provided by schools, staff, and students may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, 

or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose except as required by law (20 U.S.C., § 9573). Students and 

schools are never identified in any reports. All reported statistics refer to the United States as a whole.

Where can I find out more about TIMSS?

More information about TIMSS is available at the TIMSS website at http://nces.ed.gov/timss or 

http://timss.bc.edu. Or if you would like to contact a TIMSS staff member directly, please feel free to call the 

TIMSS hotline at XXX-XXX-XXXX or email us at TIMSS@westat.com.
TIMSS Facts for Parents About the Field Test: Grade 8

Facts for Parents

About the TIMSS Field Test

Between April and May of this year, your child’s school will be one of about 40 nationwide taking part in the 

TIMSS 2015 Field Test. The schools were selected randomly to represent the nation’s schools and, within each 

school, 8th grade students were selected randomly to represent the nation’s 8th graders. Your child was among 

those students selected to take part in the TIMSS field test.

What is TIMSS?

TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) is an international assessment that measures 

student learning in mathematics and science. Every four years since 1995, TIMSS documents worldwide trends in 

the knowledge of 8th graders. The National Center for Education Statistics within the U.S. Department of 

Education sponsors U.S. participation in TIMSS. Along with more than 60 other nations, the U.S. will take part in 

the 2015 TIMSS cycle as we did in 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011.

What is the purpose of the TIMSS Field Test?

Each time the study is done, new assessment questions need to be developed and tested to ensure that those 

questions accurately measure the knowledge and skills of students. This field test will allow test developers to 

modify or delete questions that are not reliable and fair for students in the United States.

What is involved?

TIMSS staff will visit the school and administer the field test. The field test will take approximately 2 1⁄2 hours. 

The assessment itself is 90 minutes with breaks between sections. Students will also be asked some questions 

about themselves and their educational experience. 

What are the benefits?

The nation as a whole benefits from TIMSS by having a greater understanding of how the knowledge and skills of 

U.S. 8th graders compare with those of 8th graders from other countries. The country benefits from the field test 

by ensuring that the questions used in the main study are fair and appropriate for U.S. students. Schools that 

participate in TIMSS will receive $200, and each student who participates will receive a small gift that we believe 

they will like.

Who administers TIMSS?

The entire assessment is administered by trained staff from Westat, a research organization under contract to the 

U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics.

All of the information collected is safeguarded, as required by law. NCES is authorized to conduct this study 

under the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA, 2002), 20 U.S. Code, Section 9543. Under that law, the 

data provided by schools, staff, and students may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, 
or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose except as required by law (20 U.S.C., § 9573). Students and 

schools are never identified in any reports. All reported statistics refer to the United States as a whole.

Where can I find out more about TIMSS?

More information about TIMSS is available at the TIMSS website at http://nces.ed.gov/timss or 

http://timss.bc.edu. Or if you would like to contact a TIMSS staff member directly, please feel free to call the 

TIMSS hotline at XXX-XXX-XXXX or email us at TIMSS@westat.com.
TIMSS Advanced Facts for Parents About the Field Test

Facts for Parents

About the TIMSS Advanced Field Test

Between April and May of this year, your teenager’s school will be one of about 35 nationwide taking part in the 

TIMSS Advanced 2015 Field Test. The schools were selected randomly to represent the nation’s schools that 

offer courses in advanced mathematics, such as calculus, and advanced physics. Within each school, 12th grade

students were selected randomly to take represent the nation’s 12th graders who have taken or are taking calculus 

and/or advanced physics. Your teenagers was among those students selected to take part in the TIMSS field test.

What is TIMSS?

TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) is an international assessment that measures 

student learning in mathematics and science. Every four years since 1995, TIMSS documents worldwide trends in 

the knowledge of 8th graders. The National Center for Education Statistics within the U.S. Department of 

Education sponsors U.S. participation in TIMSS. Along with more than 60 other nations, the U.S. will take part in 

the 2015 TIMSS cycle as we did in 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011. TIMSS 2015 will include the TIMSS 

Advanced component.

What is the purpose of the TIMSS Advanced Field Test?

Each time the study is done, new assessment questions need to be developed and tested to ensure that those 

questions accurately measure the knowledge and skills of students. This field test will allow test developers to 

modify or delete questions that are not reliable and fair for students in the United States.

What is involved?

TIMSS staff will visit the school and administer the field test. The field test will take approximately 2 1⁄2 hours. 

The assessment itself is 90 minutes with breaks between sections. Students will also be asked some questions 

about themselves and their educational experience. 

What are the benefits?

The nation as a whole benefits from TIMSS by having a greater understanding of how the knowledge and skills of 

U.S. best prepared 12th graders compare with 12th graders from other countries who have taken specialized 

mathematics and science courses. The country benefits from the field test by ensuring that the questions used in 

the main study are fair and appropriate for U.S. students. Schools that participate in TIMSS will receive $200, and 

each student who participates will receive a small gift that we believe they will like.

Who administers TIMSS Advanced?

The entire assessment is administered by trained staff from Westat, a research organization under contract to the 

U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics.
All of the information collected is safeguarded, as required by law. NCES is authorized to conduct this study 

under the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA, 2002), 20 U.S. Code, Section 9543. Under that law, the 

data provided by schools, staff, and students may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, 

or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose except as required by law (20 U.S.C., § 9573). Students and 

schools are never identified in any reports. All reported statistics refer to the United States as a whole.

Where can I find out more about TIMSS and TIMSS Advanced?

More information about TIMSS is available at the TIMSS website at http://nces.ed.gov/timss or 

http://timss.bc.edu. Or if you like to contact a TIMSS staff member directly, please feel free to call the TIMSS 

hotline at XXX-XXX-XXXX or email us at TIMSS@westat.com.