Classification of the Questions in an 8th Grade Mathematics Textbook with Respect to the Competency Levels of PISA

Abstract

Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is an examination devised by Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 1997. The examination aims to determine the achievement level of 15-year-old students on different domains and to what extent they were educated to be ready for situations they may face in their daily life. There are 6 levels in the mathematics competency scale to evaluate the related skills. The aim of this study is to investigate and classify the questions in one of the 8th grade mathematics textbook in use with respect to PISA mathematics competency scale. This classification showed that there were not questions from all of the 6 levels in the book. There were questions, problems, exercises and examples at Level 1, 2, 3, and 4. The most frequent of these levels was the 2nd level (47%). At the same time the units of textbook have got some differences according to the mathematics competency scale. It is suggested that the textbook content should be reviewed to include the higher level skills in the mathematics competency scale.