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