No one should be surprised that U.S. Students continue to fall behind their international peers in Math and Science. The latest scores are in from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), and it’s not good.
According to: US students’ declining math scores are ‘sobering,’ expert says:
“A new international study showing a significant drop in U.S. students’ math test scores is raising concerns over student performance.
The National Center for Education Statistics, or NCES, released highlights from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, also known as TIMSS, on Wednesday, which offers a snapshot at how many students are behind in mathematics and science, both critical subject areas.
Between 2019 and 2023, test scores for American fourth graders in math dropped by 18 points and scores for eighth graders dropped 27 points. Overall, math test scores stagnated, remaining comparable to math test scores from 1995, when the TIMSS began to be administered to students.”
Most states continue to use the Common Core Math standards to guide their curriculum and tests. Common Core Math has proven to be a national disaster, and yet no one seems concerned about making any positive changes. Parents hate Common Core math, teachers are forced to use faulty math programs and pedagogy, and it shows the failure of Common Core on international tests. This isn’t even debatable.
There are two main data points that everyone should be looking at annually.
1) How many students are completing Algebra 1 by 8th grade?
2) How many incoming freshman colleges students graduating from public schools, need to take remedial math?
Singapore students continue to outperform U.S. students along with several other countries:
4th Grade & 8th Grade Math Results:
School budgets continue to climb, while literacy in core subjects continues to decline. One has to wonder when Governors, Superintendents, School Boards, and parents will demand better for the children attending local public schools.
Why are U.S. Students unable to compete with their international peers?
A few reasons:
1) Common Core Math is a disaster
2) Math programs like Eureka2 is based on Common Core, but is also watered down with SEL (Social an Emotional Learning) (HINT: TEACH MATH)
3) Pedagogy should be direct instruction, not Inquiry or discovery learning.
4) Common Core puts students on a path to Algebra I by 9th grade. Singapore students are prepared for Algebra I by 6th and 7th grade. Common Core is bogged down with confusing math algorithms.
5) Missing concepts in Common Core math that no one identifies when using a math program:
6)Early Common Core is developmentally inappropriate for young children. Focus on communication vs computation
7) Common Core leaves too many students unprepared for entering college level math.
8) Too many complain about Common Core math but do not demand better.
According to Great Bay Community College, before an incoming Freshman can take college level mathematics, some are required to take developmental math first. Remedial math is normally targeted on k-8 or basic math. Students who did not master basic math in elementary and middle school, may be required to take it at the college level before they begin college level math courses.
So in 2024, 21.40% of Great Bay’s college freshman first needed to complete a remedial math class before they could take college level mathematics. This is a statistic that almost no one looks at in New Hampshire, but it is so important, that everyone should be looking at it.
Common Core will continue to fail students throughout the county until Governors, Superintendents, School Board Members, and parents demand better.
