Mathematics Competence and International Mathematics Testing: Croatian Starting Point

Abstract

The article presents a review of the competence-framed concept of compulsory mathematics education and appropriate instruction methods, in light of the international influences on Croatia through comparative ranking in PISA mathematical literacy. We begin by reviewing the conceptual constructs behind social influences on the supra-national development of the literacy/competence concept in mathematics education and assessment, and briefly examine its components and instructional contributions. Within this context we proceed to map past and current, and extrapolate future, changes in the conceptualisation of school mathematics and mathematics teaching in Croatian compulsory education, including recent empirical findings on mathematics instruction in Croatian primary schools. The aim is to examine social and (comparative) political influences on subject-matter and teaching of 'hard' school subjects such as mathematics, chart Croatia's current position according to international assessment and instructional trends, and recommend possible steps in immediate development of educational policy.