RSSU. S. Students Lagging in Math and Science: O.E.C.D. PISA Tests (2000-2003)
Most of the major inventions designed to improve our modern way of life have been invented or perfected by Americans (electricity, steam turbine, corn flakes, light bulbs, telecommunications, modern-day radio, television, the transistor, the microchip, the computer, and the Internet). The U.S. System of advanced education and research has kept us in the position of technology leader for the last century. However, our primary and secondary education programs are falling behind. Every three years, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development tests fifteen-year-olds in math, science, reading and problem solving skills (Program for International Student Assessment). In the 2003 tests, the United States fell to 26th in math and to 20th in science among 32 nations. Even when the comparison is limited to the top tier of students, when compared with top students elsewhere in the world, America’s best math students ranked no better than 25th out of 30 countries.
UPDATED
A sharp eyed reader spotted the 2006 PISA test results which we did not find when we drafted the orginal post. These results are consistent with the 2000 and 2003 results and do not show significant improvement.
In 2006, the results show the average combined science literacy scale score for U.S. students to be lower than the OECD average. U. S. students placed 29 out of 57 countries in science literacy and 35 out of 57 in math literacy.
In 2006, When comparing the performance of the highest achieving students—those at the 90th percentile—U.S. students scored lower (593) than the OECD average (615) on the mathematics literacy scale. Twenty-nine jurisdictions (23 OECD jurisdictions and 6 non-OECD jurisdictions) had students at the 90th percentile with higher scores than the United States on the mathematics literacy scale.
In 2006, When comparing the performance of the highest achieving students—those at the 90th percentile—there was no measurable difference between the average score of U.S. students (628) compared to the OECD average (622) on the combined science literacy scale. Twelve jurisdictions (9 OECD jurisdictions and 3 non-OECD jurisdictions) had students at the 90th percentile with higher scores than the United States on the combined science literacy scale.
33 Responses to “U. S. Students Lagging in Math and Science: O.E.C.D. PISA Tests (2000-2003)”
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November 22nd, 2008 at 8:05 pm
It’s pure and simple, “The Conspiracy of Ignorance” The fact that american test scores are among the lowest in the civilized world is no accident. Any moron can see why just by listening to a kid today trying to make a simple point “it’s like, like, yo ya know what i’m sayin, like ya know?????” as if stupidity were a virtue! If there were a plan to take down the united states, NO WAY could anyone match americas military might. It would have to be a long term domestic plan designed to erode our strengths from the inside out starting with education. First there would have to be a plan to indoctrinate mediocrity laziness and failure into future generations by infiltrating the education system at all levels hamstringing our ability to advance in an expanding global market. Basic arithmetic, math and science would be the first areas of interest as they are the building blocks required to keep america leading in technology and innovation. Once the system is compromised, it’s only a matter of time until that uneducated ripple matures into what will represent americas future. This is already so advanced i wonder if we can ever reverse the damage already inflicted by our disgraceful educational system. It’s true, most american kids are more interested in their video games than their education. They have become complacent, gluttonous and painfully ignorant. The sad thing is that it isn’t their fault that they haven’t received the education they should have, they’ve been stuck with a broken system that has failed them. When I was a kid it was rare to see a fat kid because we were always physically active unlike kids today. Kids today have it easy which is why they don’t understand what it means to have to work and fight for what they have. This is dangerous! There is a book titled “The Conspiracy of Ignorance” that is right on the money with respect to why our kids are performing so poorly. I highly recommend it and hopefully it will enlighten anyone who reads it.
November 22nd, 2008 at 9:35 pm
I have taught for 25 years as well and I understand exactly what you are talking about. Jaime Escalante is a calculus teacher who is an exceptional example of what a teacher can accomplish through dicipline, respect and hard work. These fundamentals are essential in providing the building blocks necessary for a solid foundation. Today, these basics are missing and it’s easy to see why they are failing. They lack work ethic and dicipline. These kids think they are it! They think they are so cool! The truth is that they need to have their asses kicked back down to size and wake up to the fact that they are getting their butts kicked by just about every other civilized nation in every area. Everything about our education system stinks from one end to the other starting with limiting a teachers ability to actually teach. What about the gross lack of dicipline in todays schools? How are these kids supposed to learn if the teacher can’t control the class room? I was taught by catholic nuns who were strict diciplinarians, and you learned fast or else! These kids aren’t challenged which is why you see them failing in every area. At this point, the entire sysyem needs a desperate overhaul starting from the top on down. Next it would be wise to have six day school weeks. I refuse to beleive that we can’t pay teachers respectable salaries, after all they have a large hand in the education of our future generations. Quality teachers have to be a top priority in order for us to get caught up to where we should be, even then it will take years before we actually see results. It’s simple, theres no substitute for quality! If we expect excellence from our youth, we have to insure a solid foundation for them to draw from. America better wake up to the fact that we are in serious trouble on all fronts and it’s worse than any of us realize. Look into a book titled “the conspiracy of ignorance” it will open your eyes to the sobering task we face with our most prescious resource. I would like to think we can reverse direction and fix this problem, theres no time to waste.
January 21st, 2009 at 5:36 am
A lack of competition in public schools is the sole reason for this figure. Teachers unions where you can basically run amok with no recourse is the outcome.
It seems the lack of accountability is the way our government has been running lately. Right?
Whereas you, the individual, will be punished for mistakes and failures. These “betters” in government constantly fail us, and nobody cares or asks for heads to roll!
Why?
Dumb people make excellent consumers and sheeple.