Math a concern for US teens; science, reading flat on test

PISA assesses the extent to which 15-year-old students, near the end of their compulsory education, have acquired key knowledge and skills that are essential for full participation in modern societies.

The math scores on PISA are similar to 2015 results on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, a standardized test given only in the U.S. Math scores on the NAEP tests for fourth-, eighth- and 12th-graders dropped a year ago.

Romania’s overall scores in Reading and Mathematics were also below the OECD average in 2015, but slightly higher than in 2006. Although Massachusetts, North Carolina and Puerto Rico test scores were separated from the USA average for global benchmarking purposes, In the United States, students in Massachusetts still performed the best in each subject on average.

“In 2012, we allowed students from the demonstration schools and Princess Chulabhorn college schools [to take part in the Pisa test] and that is why we saw a slight improvement in Thai scores”.

“It’s kind of depressing”, said D.C. parent Michael Truscott.

Among the 72 nations, the United States ranked 40th in math, 25th in science and 24th in reading. “I would put more weight into the fact that teachers conduct daily and continuous evaluation of their students and the closer the assessment is to the students, the more value that I would put into it”.

The numbers demonstrated a big disparity in the nation, as well.

Six percent of American students who took the OECD math test had scored in the highest proficiency bracket, but 29 percent did pass the standard proficiency mark.

“It’s not what the students of Mexico deserve”, she said, adding that the picture is “very negative” with regard to Mexico’s performance, and “not a good one of its education system”.

The US has again failed to make progress.

Topping the list in all three categories was Singapore.

The country recruits its teachers from the top 5 percent of graduates in a system that is highly centralised.

“Gender stereotypes about scientists and about work in science-related occupations can discourage some students from engaging further with science”, the report reads.

“A lot of kids are just being pushed through the cracks”, he said.

But where Norwegian students really distinguish themselves is when it comes to reading.

There has been some debate over the effectiveness of the debate.

In an analysis by education policy expert Amanda Ripley for the New York Times “Upshot”, Ripley commented on some of the other factors impacting the difference in success between American students and their worldwide peers.

“The results from this PISA report highlight the need for urgent action in school reform”. “Before eagerly jumping to conclusions”.