Chicago (IL) - It is a common stigma that students in foreign countries are significantly smarter in math and science than students in the United States, however, that isn’t exactly true. Though the study found that Asian students still dominate math and science topics, the U.S. has made significant improvements.
New York Times recently reported the results of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, or Timss, which is an aptitude and achievement test measuring the mathematics and science achievements of students in grades four and eight internationally. Two states within the U.S. showed a dramatic and impressive increase in mathematics, where the science rates remained static.
The study was conducted in 2007, and measured a sample of fourth grade students from 36 different countries and eighth grade students from 48 different countries. A total of 425,000 students were tested in this study, which is conducted every four years , and is designed to measure the knowledge, and aptitude of students in both elementary and middle school.
This was the first time the Timss study had been conducted since 2003. The students were tested in subjects like geometry, chemistry, algebra and physics.
On a positive note for the United States was that both Minnesota and Massachusetts were allowed to participate in a special study which allowed their scores to be ranked as though they were independent countries. These states demonstrated outstanding intelligence levels and outperformed all but a few countries as far as scores were concerned.
However, the United States has a while to go before they will begin to lead the world in math skills: The study showed that Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan and Korea had scores significantly higher than other countries that participated in the study. The highest scoring Asian countries additionally had the greatest share of students who scored in the advanced level. The United States had merely 6% of students scoring in the advanced level in mathematics.
The United States did not fare so well in the science arena. Since 1995, the United States science scores have remained stagnant, while countries such as Singapore (which ranked the highest), and Hong Kong have made significant improvements in science.
New York Times recently reported the results of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, or Timss, which is an aptitude and achievement test measuring the mathematics and science achievements of students in grades four and eight internationally. Two states within the U.S. showed a dramatic and impressive increase in mathematics, where the science rates remained static.
The study was conducted in 2007, and measured a sample of fourth grade students from 36 different countries and eighth grade students from 48 different countries. A total of 425,000 students were tested in this study, which is conducted every four years , and is designed to measure the knowledge, and aptitude of students in both elementary and middle school.
This was the first time the Timss study had been conducted since 2003. The students were tested in subjects like geometry, chemistry, algebra and physics.
On a positive note for the United States was that both Minnesota and Massachusetts were allowed to participate in a special study which allowed their scores to be ranked as though they were independent countries. These states demonstrated outstanding intelligence levels and outperformed all but a few countries as far as scores were concerned.
However, the United States has a while to go before they will begin to lead the world in math skills: The study showed that Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan and Korea had scores significantly higher than other countries that participated in the study. The highest scoring Asian countries additionally had the greatest share of students who scored in the advanced level. The United States had merely 6% of students scoring in the advanced level in mathematics.
The United States did not fare so well in the science arena. Since 1995, the United States science scores have remained stagnant, while countries such as Singapore (which ranked the highest), and Hong Kong have made significant improvements in science.