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Study finds US children lag behind other countries in math skills

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2010 16:52 PM



Standardized test scores have been a way for both academic and government officials to map out student progress from year to year on their understanding of their curriculum. However, there are certain subjects that many individuals still have a hard time understanding.

According to a new study entitled "U.S. Math Performance in Global Perspective: How well does each state do at producing high-achieving students? " U.S. high school graduates are falling behind in advanced math skills. The country ranked 31st in comparison to 56 countries, while Taiwan was at the top of the list.

Researchers report that this study may be a wakeup call for education officials to increase math subjects in schools in order to prepare students for future career endeavors involving math.

"Public discourse has tended to focus on the need to address low achievement, particularly among disadvantaged students, and bring everyone up to a minimum level of proficiency," said the study's co-author Paul Peterson. "As great as this need may be, there is no less need to lift more students, no matter their socio-economic background, to high levels of educational accomplishment." 


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