Savanna Hoffman
American students' academic achievement has consistently lagged behind their peers in many other countries, according to various international assessments. In subjects such as mathematics, science, and reading, American students tend to rank around the middle or below average compared to their international peers. The United States' educational rankings have been on a downward trend, falling behind other countries that have shown significant improvements. While the US educational system is often ranked highly in surveys, American students' test scores in math and science continue to be a cause for concern.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| PISA Score (2015) | 38th out of 71 countries in math and 24th in science |
| PISA Score (2018) | 22nd position with an average score of 1,485 |
| TIMSS Score (2015) | 10 countries out of 48 had higher average fourth-grade math scores |
| PIRLS Score (2021) | U.S. 5th graders' average score was higher than that of their peers in 24 education systems |
| Science Score (2022) | 16th out of 81 countries |
| Math Score (2022) | 28th out of 37 OECD countries |
| Science Score (2022) | 12th out of 37 OECD countries |
| Global Competitiveness Report (2024) | Ranked 12th |
| K-12 STEM Education | Ranked below average |
| Reading Literacy (2022) | 5 education systems out of 81 had higher average scores |
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What You'll Learn
Math scores
In 2018, US students ranked 38th in the world for math testing results. Asian countries, including India, Vietnam, China, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore, are often regarded as having challenging math curricula. Finland, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore are also well-known for their rigorous education systems.
On a new creative problem-solving test taken by students in 44 countries and regions, 15-year-old US students scored above the international average and ranked 18th in the world. This was much better than their below-average performance on the PISA reading and math tests. The jump from math to problem-solving skills was one of the largest gaps observed by the OECD. US students performed better on interactive items, which require them to uncover useful information by exploring the problem situation and gathering feedback on the effect of their actions.
Florida students posted "outstanding" scores on a fourth-grade international reading test and more average marks in math and science. Massachusetts eighth-graders ranked sixth in math on an international exam.
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Science scores
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is one of the biggest cross-national tests, measuring reading ability, mathematics and science literacy, and other key skills among 15-year-olds in dozens of developed and developing countries. The test is administered every three years.
In 2015, the US ranked 24th in science out of 71 countries. Among the 35 members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which sponsors the PISA initiative, the US ranked 19th in science.
In 2018, PISA results showed that US students' scores in science had not changed significantly since the exam debuted in 2000. The US ranked 11th in science that year.
In 2022, the US placed 16th out of 81 countries in science. The US ranked 12th out of 37 OECD countries that year, with its average science score remaining virtually unchanged since 2018.
The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is another international comparative study that measures mathematics and science achievement in the 4th and 8th grades every four years. In 2015, 10 countries out of 48 total had higher average fourth-grade science scores than the US.
While US students' science scores have been stable over time, there have been no signs of improvement. This relative lack of improvement means that US students may not be as prepared to take high-paying computer and engineering jobs, which often go to foreign workers.
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Reading literacy
When it comes to reading literacy among American students, the rankings vary depending on the specific study and year. The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), a prominent international study, evaluates the reading literacy of 15-year-olds. In 2022, the United States ranked above the OECD average in reading literacy, with an average score of 504 compared to the OECD average of 476. However, there were still five education systems with higher average reading literacy scores than the United States.
Historically, the US has typically ranked between 8th and 17th internationally in reading literacy, with no significant change in performance over time. This suggests persistent challenges within the American educational system. Countries like Finland, England, and Poland consistently outperform the US in reading literacy for younger students.
The literacy rate among adults in the United States is also a cause for concern. According to various sources, more than half of American adults have a literacy level below the sixth-grade mark. This has significant implications for educational outcomes, economic growth, social equity, and individual opportunity. The nexus between poverty and literacy is pronounced, with impoverished regions facing limited educational opportunities and families prioritizing income generation over education.
To address these concerns, a systematic and holistic approach is needed. This includes early intervention programs, revised educational practices, and a focus on cultivating a culture of reading within the nation. Additionally, educational strategies, socio-economic factors, and the quality of education play a significant role in improving reading literacy outcomes.
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Problem-solving skills
American students' problem-solving skills are generally considered to be slightly above average compared to their international peers. In 2014, 15-year-olds in the US who participated in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) scored an average of 508 in problem-solving skills, surpassing the 500-point average of the 28 OECD countries involved. This was also reflected in a separate 2014 problem-solving test, where US students ranked 18th out of 44 countries and regions, again placing them above the international average.
However, it is important to note that American students still lag behind several other high-performing nations in problem-solving skills, such as Singapore, Korea, Japan, Finland, and China. In the 2012 PISA assessment, the average scores of these top-performing countries ranged from 552 to 562, with Singapore achieving the highest score. Furthermore, while US students performed above average overall in the 2012 PISA, the report found that more than 1 in 6 American students still performed below the baseline level of proficiency in problem-solving.
The PISA assessment is designed to evaluate students' ability to apply their knowledge and problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios, rather than emphasising rote memorisation. This is significant because research suggests that countries with higher PISA rankings tend to fare better in the 21st-century global knowledge economy. Thus, the relatively lower ranking of American students in PISA assessments may indicate a need to improve problem-solving skills in the US education system to enhance students' future economic prospects.
The gender gap in problem-solving performance is also worth noting. While the gap is smaller in the United States compared to other countries, with 10% of girls and 13% of boys identified as "top performers", there are still three top-performing boys for every two top-performing girls.
To enhance problem-solving skills, countries like Japan and other top-ranking nations have implemented strategies such as student-led projects that foster deeper, integrated learning across all subjects. By focusing on problem-solving in a variety of contexts, students can develop the skills necessary to succeed in a rapidly evolving world and future job markets.
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Performance by gender
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), coordinated by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), measures the performance of 15-year-old students in reading, mathematics, and science literacy every three years. The PISA results are reported by average scale scores, which range from 0 to 1,000. The latest PISA results, from 2022, placed the US 28th out of 37 OECD countries in math and 12th in science. The US average science score remained unchanged since 2018, while the math score fell by 13 percentage points.
In 2015, the US ranked 38th out of 71 countries in math and 24th in science. The same year, younger American students performed better on the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), which tests students in grades four and eight every four years. In 2015, 10 countries had statistically higher average fourth-grade math scores than the US, while seven countries had higher average science scores.
The PISA results also provide international comparisons of achievement scores by student gender. In 2022, there were five education systems with higher average reading literacy scores for 15-year-olds than the US, and 25 systems with higher mathematics literacy scores. The US administered the 2021 PIRLS assessment digitally but reported the paper-bridge scores due to psychometric concerns over linking paper and digital achievement scores. US fifth graders' average score on the PIRLS reading scale was higher than the average scores of their peers in 24 education systems and lower than those in three systems.
While the US ranks behind many other advanced industrial nations in international math, science, and reading assessments, the country has a greater number of students from socio-economically advantaged backgrounds. This indicates that American students are generally better off compared to their counterparts in the average OECD country.
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Frequently asked questions
American students rank around the middle of the pack and behind many other advanced industrial nations in international math and science assessments. In 2015, the US ranked 38th out of 71 countries in math and 24th in science. In 2018, the US ranked 22nd out of all the countries assessed. In 2022, the US placed 16th out of 81 countries in science.
American students continue to rank around the middle and lag behind their peers in many other countries. This is despite the United States having the best-surveyed education system in the world. American students face significant gaps in key subjects, including reading comprehension, science, and problem-solving skills.
The US education system is the only one that reports results from a paper-bridge study. The US administered the PIRLS 2021 assessment digitally but reported the paper-bridge scores due to psychometric concerns over the linking of paper and digital achievement scores. US students' math skills have remained fairly stagnant for decades, and the country is falling behind many others that have improved.
