Janice Lozano
American students' academic achievement has consistently lagged behind their peers in many other countries. In international assessments of math, science, and reading, American students rank around the middle of the pack and behind many other advanced industrial nations. The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), which measures reading ability, math and science literacy, and other key skills among 15-year-olds, is one of the most well-known international tests. In 2022, the United States ranked 28th out of 37 OECD countries in math and 12th in science. While the United States has the best-surveyed education system globally, American students' test scores are below the global average, and they continue to fall behind in international rankings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Math scores | Ranked 38th in 2015, 22nd in 2018, 28th out of 37 countries in 2022, and 16th out of 81 countries in 2022 |
| Science scores | Ranked 24th in 2015, 12th in 2018, 12th out of 37 countries in 2022 |
| Reading literacy | Ranked 6th out of 32 education systems in 2021 |
| TIMSS 4th-grade math scores | 10 countries out of 48 had higher average scores in 2015 |
| TIMSS 4th-grade science scores | 7 countries out of 48 had higher average scores in 2015 |
| NAEP 4th-graders science scores | 38% rated proficient or better in 2015 |
| NAEP 8th-graders science scores | 34% rated proficient or better in 2015 |
| NAEP 12th-graders science scores | 22% rated proficient or better in 2015 |
| NAEP 4th-graders science scores | 24% rated "below basic" in 2015 |
| NAEP 8th-graders science scores | 32% rated "below basic" in 2015 |
| NAEP 12th-graders science scores | 40% rated "below basic" in 2015 |
| PISA score | 1485 in 2018 |
| Global Competitiveness Report rank | 12th in 2024 |
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What You'll Learn
Math scores
The Programme for International Student Assessment test (PISA) is the primary tool for measuring the effectiveness of education systems globally. Administered by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) every three years, PISA measures 15-year-olds' mathematics, science, and reading proficiency.
On the most recent PISA test in 2022, the US ranked 20th out of 81 countries and territories, which comprise 90% of the world's economies. The rankings were based on average scores across all three main PISA subjects. The US's ranking in mathematics specifically is not clear from this data. However, the US's ranking drops to 16th when education spending is taken into account.
The 2022 PISA test results showed a decline in student achievement, which was also reported in the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and the 2022 Program of International Student Assessment (PISA). The 2023 TIMSS results also showed a decline in the number of US students in the middle of the rankings and a re-emergent gender gap.
The US's ranking in mathematics is lower than expected given that it is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. The US's scores are in line with nations that have a similar per capita GDP, such as Denmark and the United Kingdom, but are slightly above those of Germany and France. However, the US ranks below countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Finland, which are known for their outstanding education systems.
Asian countries, including India, Vietnam, China, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore, are often regarded as having challenging math curricula. The COVID-19 pandemic also caused a massive disruption in schooling worldwide, with average math scores in OECD countries dropping by around 15 points compared to 2018.
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Science scores
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a large cross-national test that measures reading ability, math and science literacy, and other key skills among 15-year-olds in dozens of developed and developing countries. The PISA is administered every three years by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The 2015 PISA results placed US 15-year-olds 24th in science out of 71 countries, and 19th out of 35 OECD countries.
The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is another international comparative study that measures trends in mathematics and science achievement in the 4th and 8th grades every four years since 1995. In the 2015 TIMSS, 10 countries out of 48 total had statistically higher average fourth-grade math scores than the US, while seven countries had higher average science scores.
In 2019, TIMSS assessed the mathematics and science skills of 4th-graders in 64 education systems and 8th-graders in 46 education systems. In the US, the science cut score for high-performing 8th-graders was 642 points, and 388 points for low-performing 8th-graders. The difference between these two cut scores (254 points) is the science score gap between high- and low-performing US 8th-graders. The US score gap was larger than the corresponding score gaps in 24 education systems and smaller than the gaps in four education systems.
The most recent PISA results from 2022 placed the US 10th in science out of 81 countries, and 16th out of 37 OECD countries. US students scored an average of 499 points in science, above the OECD average of 485. However, the US science score was still well below the top five highest-scoring countries, which were Singapore, China, Japan, South Korea, and Finland.
While US students' science scores have remained relatively steady since 2006, they continue to lag behind many other advanced industrial nations. The relatively low scores in science and other STEM subjects mean that US students may not be as prepared to take high-paying jobs in fields such as computer science and engineering, which often go to foreign workers.
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Reading comprehension
The United States' ranking in literacy and reading comprehension has been a topic of concern for many. According to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in 2003, 15-year-old students in the United States had an average literacy score of 495 out of 1000, ranking 18th out of 40 nations. Finland, which ranked first, had an average score of 543. This indicates that American students are falling behind their international peers in reading comprehension.
The lack of improvement in reading comprehension scores among American students is concerning. Every five years, the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) administers a benchmarking test to students in various global education systems. Despite having access to resources like libraries, American students' scores have stagnated or declined, while other countries have shown improvement and surpassed the United States. This trend is observed not only internationally but also within the United States, where students from certain states are outperforming their peers from other states.
The reasons for the stagnant or declining reading comprehension scores in the United States are multifaceted. Some experts attribute it to the late introduction of structured reading and writing education, which is often delayed until children are 7 years old. On the other hand, early introduction of reading in pre-K may be counterproductive and potentially discourage an interest in reading. The impact of bilingualism or trilingualism on literacy development is also a factor that warrants consideration.
The consequences of low literacy rates extend beyond education. Literacy proficiency has economic implications for individuals and the country. Approximately two-thirds of students who cannot read proficiently by the end of the fourth grade are predicted to face challenges such as involvement with the criminal justice system or dependence on welfare programs. Additionally, low literacy rates among adults can impact their earning potential and contribute to income disparities. If all US adults could achieve at least a Level 3 literacy proficiency, it is estimated that the country's annual income could increase by $2.2 trillion, equivalent to 10% of the gross domestic product.
Improving literacy and reading comprehension is a national priority, as reflected in initiatives like USA Reads by the World Literacy Foundation. These efforts aim to eradicate illiteracy and enhance reading skills, ensuring that individuals can fully participate in society and contribute to the country's economic growth.
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Problem-solving skills
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), coordinated by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), is one of the biggest cross-national tests. It measures reading ability, mathematics and science literacy, and other key skills among 15-year-olds in dozens of developed and developing countries.
In 2015, the US ranked 38th out of 71 countries in mathematics and 24th in science. Among the 35 members of the OECD, the US ranked 30th in mathematics and 19th in science. However, in a new creative problem-solving test, US 15-year-olds scored above the international average, ranking 18th in the world. This is much better than their performance on the PISA reading and mathematics tests.
PISA results from 2022 show that the US ranking improved slightly, moving from 29th to 26th in mathematics, 8th to 6th in reading, and 11th to 10th in science. However, math results dropped 13 points compared to 2018, and American students lagged behind Asian countries. Japanese students scored 71 points above American students in math, and students in Singapore scored 110 points more.
The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is another international comparative study that measures mathematics and science achievement in 4th and 8th graders every four years. In 2015, 10 countries out of 48 had higher average fourth-grade math scores than the US, while seven countries had higher average science scores.
The US education system has faced criticism for not adequately preparing students in foundational skills such as mathematics and science. This is concerning as these subjects are essential for various careers, including aviation, computer science, engineering, healthcare, and IT. Policymakers should carefully examine the curriculum and consider reforms to enhance educational outcomes and ensure students are well-equipped for future challenges.
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Performance by gender
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is one of the biggest cross-national tests, measuring reading ability, mathematics, and science literacy among 15-year-olds every three years. The latest PISA results, from 2022, placed US students below average in mathematics, with 25 education systems out of 81 achieving higher scores. However, US students were above average in reading literacy, with only five education systems achieving higher scores. In science, the US ranked 12th out of 37 OECD countries in 2018, with its score virtually unchanged since.
Younger American students tend to perform better on international assessments. In the 2015 TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study), which tests students in grades four and eight every four years, ten countries out of 48 had higher average fourth-grade math scores than the US, while seven countries had higher average science scores.
While PISA results do not provide a breakdown of rankings by gender, they do present international comparisons of achievement scores by student gender. In the US, the NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) also tests students on science, and the limited results available indicate some improvement between 2009 and 2015. In 2015, 38% of fourth-graders, 34% of eighth-graders, and 22% of twelfth-graders were rated proficient or better in science, while 24% of fourth-graders, 32% of eighth-graders, and 40% of twelfth-graders were rated "below basic".
Despite the United States having the best-surveyed education system globally, US students consistently score lower in mathematics and science than students from many other countries. This has been attributed to a variety of factors, including government spending on education failing to keep up with inflation. However, it is important to note that the US has a greater number of students from socio-economically advantaged backgrounds compared to the average OECD country.
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Frequently asked questions
American students rank around the middle of the pack, behind many other advanced industrial nations in international assessments of math, science, and reading. In the 2018 PISA results, the United States achieved an average score, placing it 22nd among the countries assessed.
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is one of the biggest cross-national tests. It measures reading ability, math and science literacy, and other key skills among 15-year-olds in dozens of developed and developing countries every three years.
Research suggests that countries with higher PISA rankings tend to fare better in the 21st-century global knowledge economy. PISA is an essential indicator of how well school systems are preparing students for the challenges of a rapidly evolving world.
