2009 National Assessment of Mathematics in Primary Education in Flanders

In 2009 a national assessment was carried out, which was commissioned by the Flemish government, to assess whether pupils have achieved the attainment targets for mathematics at the end of primary education. This assessment is a reiteration of the first national assessment on mathematics in 2002. Data were collected through 22 written tests that can be categorized into three domains: (a) numbers and mathematical operations, (b) measuring and geometry, and (c) strategies and problem-solving skills. Both new and previously used (in the 2002 national assessment) tests were administered. A representative sample of 6940 pupils from 247 Flemish primary schools participated. Tests were supplemented with questionnaires for pupils, parents, teachers and school leaders. The pupil questionnaire asked, among other things, about their perceptions of the school and mathematics classes, their motivation and their self-confidence. The parent questionnaire collected information on their child, family background and involvement in the school. Teachers were asked, among other things, about didactic aspects of mathematics classes, the classroom and the school. School leaders were mainly asked about their school policy. The response rates to these questionnaires were 96% for the parents and teachers and 95% for the school leaders.