First, an announcement: published poet and contributor Tao Yucheng would like to host and judge a poetry contest open to all readers of Synchronized Chaos Magazine.
Synchronized Chaos Poetry Contest
We seek short, powerful, imaginative, and strange poetry. While we welcome all forms of free verse and subject matter, we prefer concise work that makes an impact.
Guidelines: Submit up to five poems per person to taoyucheng921129@proton.me. Each poem should not exceed one page (ideally half a page or less). All styles and themes welcome
Prizes: First Place: $50 Second Place: $10, payable via online transfer. One Honorable Mention. Selected finalists will be published in future issues of Synchronized Chaos
Now, for this month’s issue: The Stories We Tell Ourselves. We explore communication, relationships, myth, history, imagination – different ways of making meaning from life.
Dildora Abdullayeva considers the study of phrases as a part of human language and how phrases have changed over the years. Toychiyeva Madinaxon points out how young people are changing global language through Internet slang. Habibullayeva Lalyokhon Zarifjon kizi explores cultural and linguistic features of phrases in the Uzbek language. Rashidova Shohshanam speaks to the rapid changes in the Uzbek language and the challenges and opportunities that poses for educators. Noah Berlatsky reflects with humor on how our brains’ memory for language might shrink with modernity.
Dildora Qobilova suggests common student grammatical errors and ways to correct them in the classroom. Yarmamatova Sevinch Elyor qizi suggests ways to enhance young children’s speech fluency. Suyarova Gulsanam explicates finer points of Uzbek grammar for audiences speaking all languages. Abulqosimova Bahora highlights the intricacies of the phonetic system of the Uzbek language. Muqaddas Islomova highlights the role of multimedia digital technologies in helping language learners enhance their speech skills. Shamsiddinova Maftuna Hamidjon qizi gives an overview of academic studies into the structure and functions of different parts of speech. Adashaliyeva Durdona Akramjon qizi highlights the central role of linguistics in reinforcing the values of a socialist society. Rukhshona Kamolova Turayeva highlights the importance of studying the history and role of the English language to understanding effective communication. Sharifov Sirojiddin Shavkatovich underscores the critical importance of basic math literacy to social functioning. Satimboyeva Risolet outlines educational benefits of AI technologies in education.
Kucharov Bakhodir outlines principles of written and spoken professional communication. Dilnoza Bekmurodovna Navruzbekovna urges people to carefully consider what career would be right for them, and for schools to facilitate that deliberation. Aslidinova O’giloy highlights the potential of a digital economy and the need to prepare students for that world. Sarvar Eshpulatov also highlights the importance of digital literacy for success in today’s society. Niyozova Shakhnoza Farhod qizi elucidates the potential of digital technologies in education. Iroda Sobirova offers suggestions for fostering entrepreneurship in Central Asia and elsewhere. Choliyev Nurbek Rözimbek ogli highlights the importance of local banks in trusting in the creditworthiness of local entrepreneurs. Eshmurodova Sevinch Bahrom qizi outlines steps credit card bureaus can take to ensure consumer security. Urinova Robiyabonu discusses the use of psychology in professional management. Qarshiboyeva Mavluda Azizbek qizi analyzes the role of international assessment exams in world education. Abduvaliyeva Jasmina Jahongir qizi outlines some upsides and downsides of economic and cultural globalization.
Satimboyeva Rizolat discusses how to develop a social culture of reading and literary appreciation that goes beyond the classroom. Aziza Xasanova highlights the joy and creativity and history of the Uzbek mother tongue. Qudratova Nozima Bahromovna outlines the innovative narrative storytelling techniques of Uzbek author Tog’ay Murod.
Lakshmi Kant Mukul shares some of a people’s history of India through the lens of one architectural landmark, the Qutub Minar. Alan Catlin renders the historical, somnolent, stuck atmosphere of the American Rust Belt into poetry. Xudoyberdiyeva Mohiniso delves into the Islamic Turkish Kara-Khanid state, which reached its height in the 700s. Duane Vorhees traces a variety of Jewish mystical influences on Sigmund Freud. Chimezie Ihekuna relates how the modern Nigerian state came together as a result of colonial powers and bears little relation to cultural realities, causing a legacy of trouble. Jacques Fleury reviews Boston Lyric Stage’s production of a mashup of Sherlock Holmes and A Christmas Carol, providing two different lenses through which to interpret Victorian England. Qulliyeva Feruza Qosimova highlights the role of the Uzbek constitution in guiding contemporary society.
Mahbub Alam reflects with nostalgia on his high school days: friends, teachers, the school environment. Mesfakus Salahin revels in the wonder of childhood and memory. Sobirjonova Rayhona expresses gratitude to a dedicated teacher.
Olga Levadnaya speaks to the ‘halo effect’ of memory, where we remember the best parts of what happened to us. Dr. Jernail S. Anand considers his memories to be friends. Taghrid Bou Merhi holds onto the hazy and charming days of childhood and dreams. Mandy Diamantou Pistikou reminds us of the innocence and joyful curiosity of early childhood. Meanwhile, Luis Cuauhtemoc Berriozabal speaks to the feelings, thoughts, and sensations of middle age.
Taro Hokkyo brings to life a moment of deep soul recognition among two different people. Turkan Ergor wonders at the vast diversity of people’s life experiences, given our common humanity. Dr. Kang Byeong-Cheol reminds us of the ingredients of love: wisdom, compassion, and humility. Mrinal Kanti Ghosh reflects on a love that captures his soul and disrupts his consciousness.
Mohan Maharana also writes of compassion, speaking of his work as a healer and social worker coming alongside people living with mental illness. Juana Del Carmen Soria urges people to make wise and caring choices. Asmonur Rajabboyeva, in a piece translated into English by Shuxratova Nilufar, draws on a chamomile flower as a symbol for innocence and compassion. Eva Petropoulou Lianou puts out an urgent call for global peace. Dianne Reeves Angel looks beyond the commercialism of Christmas to seek out spiritual gifts of peace and love and hope. Brajesh Kumar Gupta affirms that goodness is so much stronger than evil. Zuhra Jumanazarova highlights the critical role of the Uzbek constitution in the country’s governance and respect for internationally recognized human rights. Eva Petropoulou Lianou laments the violence and selfishness of humanity, in poetry translated into Mandarin by Yongbo Ma. Pat Doyne mocks corruption in the United States’ federal government. Bill Tope argues against gambling from a social justice perspective. Yongbo Ma also translates a poem from Ahmed Farooq Baidoon on the weary quest of all too many people for justice. Brendan Dawson sketches some of society’s outsiders – immigrants and poets – and reflects on how society has become less welcoming.
Sayani Mukherjee wishes an old lover well with their new love during the holidays, while still acknowledging her sorrow. Abdulhafiz Iduoze speaks to the cycle of life and death in her imagistic poem. Kemal Berk yearns for a lost loved one through verse. Aisha Al-Maharabi evokes the pain of loss and longing in love. Graciela Noemi Villaverde mourns the loss of her husband of many years through poetry. Abigail George renders cautious and loving care for her father with cancer into thoughtful and slow poetry. Farzaneh Dorri pays tribute to a departed human rights lawyer.
Mirta Liliana Ramirez grieves the loss of someone who suffered much and had a difficult life. Sumaiyya Alessmael mourns the passing of her immortal, fanciful beloved. Milana Momcilovic evokes centuries of timeless longing for a lost love. Salimeh Mousavi probes probes a family’s grief to create a complex and layered character sketch and to mourn for parts of individual personhood severed by culture.
Kavi Nielsen poetically expresses a sense of unity and connection with nature and their loved one. Shawn Schooley celebrates the sensual attraction he feels for his lover. Jamal Garougar speaks to the submergence of egos and unity with a broader whole inherent in love.
Petros Kyriakou Veloudas depicts love, grief, and memory feeding into the artistic process. Ana Elisa Medina encourages someone close to her to sing and share his heart’s journey. Kandy Fontaine reflects on how Motorhead frontman Lemmy inspired her artistically and personally.
Dianne Reeves Angel celebrates the joy of intentional female connection and friendship over many years. Priyanka Neogi reminds women and girls to remember their insight and strength. Amirah al-Wassif’s surreal poetry speaks to womanhood and our relationship with our bodies and minds.
J.J. Campbell shrugs and finds himself in a place of dull resignation, even at the holiday season, and renders his feelings into poems. Alan Hardy speaks to the vulnerability of being alone, whether in the wild or in his own mind, and how he protects himself by letting go of regret. Santiago Burdon depicts some misadventures along the road of guiding an emerging writer towards greater originality.
Mark Young expresses fascination with arbitrary liminality, how we attempt to classify the world. Duane Vorhees reflects on natural and human moments of energy and transition, such as thunderstorms, from a comfortable distance that lets him think and react with wonder.
We hope this issue brings wonder, new thoughts, and empathy to your life.
CONTENT AND ESSENCE OF INTERNATIONAL ASSESSMENT PROGRAMS
Kattakurgan State Pedagogical Institute, Student Qarshiboyeva Mavluda Azizbek qizi
Annotation: This article analyzes the purpose, structure, and impact of international assessment programs on the education system. It examines how countries shape their educational policies based on the implementation procedures and results of PISA, TIMSS, and PIRLS. The article highlights the importance of international assessment programs in improving the modern education system.
Introduction. In the context of modern globalization, assessing and comparing the quality of education at the international level has become increasingly important. Every country strives to determine the effectiveness of its education system, eliminate weaknesses, and align with international standards by using various assessment programs. International assessment programs measure students’ knowledge, skills, and competencies based on objective criteria and provide opportunities for comparative analysis among countries. These programs allow policymakers, researchers, and teachers to understand the real state of the education process.
International assessment programs emerged in the late 20th century due to the need to standardize education quality globally. Organizations such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) developed scientifically grounded methodologies to measure educational outcomes. Today, world-renowned programs such as PISA, TIMSS, and PIRLS play a significant role in shaping educational policy and improving national competitiveness. These programs not only assess students’ performance but also provide tools to analyze various components of education systems. Uzbekistan has also actively participated in these assessments in recent years to improve its national education system.
Main Part. PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment), conducted every three years since 2000 by the OECD, assesses the functional knowledge of 15-year-old students in mathematics, reading, and science. Unlike traditional tests, PISA evaluates students’ ability to apply knowledge to real-life situations, requiring critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. More than 80 countries participate in PISA, making it one of the most extensive assessment programs in the world.
TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study), conducted every four years since 1995 by the IEA, assesses the mathematics and science knowledge of 4th- and 8th-grade students. The test is based on school curricula and measures students’ knowledge, application, and reasoning skills. TIMSS provides valuable information for improving education standards.
PIRLS (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study), launched in 2001 and conducted every five years by the IEA, assesses the reading literacy of 4th-grade students. It measures students’ ability to understand, interpret, and evaluate literary and informational texts.
Differences among PISA, TIMSS, and PIRLS show their unique focuses: PISA assesses functional literacy, TIMSS measures subject-based curriculum mastery, and PIRLS focuses on early reading skills. Despite differences, all three programs contribute significantly to evaluating and improving education quality.
Uzbekistan’s participation in PISA 2021 provided insights into the national education system and identified areas for improvement, particularly in functional literacy and problem-solving skills.
Research Methodology. The study employed comparative analysis, document review, and statistical analysis. Official reports from OECD, IEA, and UNESCO were used as primary sources. The structure, administration, and results of PISA, TIMSS, and PIRLS were compared, and the experiences of advanced countries such as Singapore, Finland, Japan, and South Korea were analyzed. Uzbekistan’s recent participation and results were also examined.
Analysis and Results. The evaluation of international assessment programs showed that although PISA, TIMSS, and PIRLS differ in their focus areas, their common goal is to assess education quality based on international standards. High-performing countries invest heavily in teacher training, modern teaching methods, and ensuring equity in education. For example, Singapore ranked first in PISA 2022 in mathematics, and TIMSS 2023 results confirmed the leadership of Singapore and South Korea in mathematics and science.
Conclusion and Recommendations. International assessment programs provide essential tools for comparing and improving education quality globally. Based on the study’s findings, the following recommendations are proposed for Uzbekistan:
Increase the share of practical tasks and real-life application materials in curricula to enhance functional literacy.
Expand teacher training programs aligned with international standards and modern teaching methods.
Establish a regular monitoring and evaluation system for learning outcomes.
Strengthening participation in international assessment programs and integrating global best practices into national conditions will support Uzbekistan’s efforts to modernize its education system and improve students’ competitiveness.
References:
OECD. PISA 2022 Results: What Students Know and Can Do. OECD Publishing, 2023.
IEA. TIMSS 2023 International Results in Mathematics and Science. IEA, 2024.
IEA. PIRLS 2021 International Results in Reading. Boston College, 2023.
Schleicher, A. World Class: How to Build a 21st-Century School System. OECD Publishing, 2018.
UNESCO. Global Education Monitoring Report 2023: Technology in Education. UNESCO, 2023.
Ministry of Education of Uzbekistan. National Education Development Strategy 2023–2027. Tashkent, 2023.
Sometimes I think How is this a life Question and answer I can not understand As like a dream world A dream a life When is it starting When is it ending First people seems Later they disappearing It is as like this place is swirl for some people An inextricable a life Some are crying Suffering agony Some are laughing Lives relaxed I could not understand How is this a life.
Türkan Ergör, Sociologist, Philosopher, Writer, Poet, Art Photography Model. Türkan Ergör was born in 19 March 1975 in city Çanakkale, Turkey. She was selected International “Best Poet 2020”. She was selected International “Best Poet, Author/Writer 2021”. She was selected International “Best Poet, Writer/Author 2022”. She was awarded the FIRST PRIZE FOR THE OUTSTANDING AUTHOR IN 2022. She was awarded the 2023 “Zheng Nian Cup” “National Literary First Prize” by Beijing Awareness Literature Museum. She was awarded the “Certificate of Honor and Appreciation” and “Crimean Badge” by İSMAİL GASPRİNSKİY SCIENCE AND ART ACADEMY. She was awarded the “14k Gold Pen Award” by ESCRITORES SIN FRONTERAS ORGANIZACIÓN INTERNACIONAL.
Sobirjonova Rayhona is a 10th-grade student of School No. 8 in Vobkent district, Bukhara region. She was born in December 2008 in the village of Chorikalon, Vobkent district, into an educated family. Her parents have supported her since childhood. From a young age, Rayhona has been very interested in creativity, literature, and history.
She began her creative work in the 3rd grade. Her first poem was published in the newspaper “Vobkent Hayoti.” In addition, many of her works have appeared in various journals and magazines, including America’s Synchaos newspaper, India’s Namaste India magazine, Gulxan magazine, Germany’s RavenCage journal, and many other publications.
Rayhona has actively participated in numerous competitions, achieving high results and earning many awards. She continues her creative journey today as well!
