How Educated Are We - International Mathematics Proficiency Comparisons

The table shows the top 10 countries in mathematics proficiency according to the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). 4th graders in the United States rank 8th internationally in mathematics proficiency. For grades 8 and 12, the United States fell to 14 and 19, respectively.

Why haven't the students of the United States been able to keep up with others? The table on the next page compares class size, teaching styles, and average hours math is taught per week for the 8th grade. The countries listed are the same as those listed above. No data were available for Bulgaria, however.

As the table shows, the United States does not differ from most other countries with higher rankings. Many in this country are calling for smaller class sizes. They say this will help teachers provide more individualized attention and students will be educated better. But the class size in the United States is comparable to class size in most countries that rank above us. In fact, the countries with the highest ranking in mathematics proficiency have larger class sizes on average than the United States. Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong have an average of 31-40 students per math class. The United States has an average of 21-30. Korea, ranked 3rd, averages 41 or more students per class.

Perhaps the teaching techniques of other countries have something to do with the mathematics proficiency rankings. This is not necessarily the case. Teaching techniques do not vary that much between the U.S. and other higher-ranking countries. Most countries have students working in groups while the teacher instructs the whole class for some of the time. At other times, the students work individually with teachers providing assistance.

Could the difference in the number of hours per week devoted to math teaching account for the rankings? No. Half of the countries that rank above the United States teach math for the same number of hours a week. The other half teach math for fewer hours than the United States does.

8th Grade International Comparisons of Mathematics Classes, 1994-1995

Perhaps the amount of homework is greater in countries that rank higher than the United States. This is not the case. Most of the countries assign homework three or more times a week with average assignment lengths of 30 minutes or less each. There are also many countries that assign math homework less frequently. In fact, except for Singapore, the countries ranked from second to fifth places only assign math homework once or twice a week with assignment lengths of 30 minutes or less. Singapore assigns math homework three or more times a week with the average assignment length of 30 minutes or more.

Maybe the disparity comes from what is taught in our schools. In 2001, researchers involved with the Survey of Enacted Curriculum Project discovered that what teachers teach and what states' assessment tests measure vary. More and more states are using standardized tests to improve academic standards. But how useful are these tests in tracking student progress if the subjects on the test are not those that are taught in the classroom? Should the tests be changed or should the curriculum be changed?

The next panel presents an overview of standardized testing in the United States.

Sources: U.S. Department of Education. National Center for Education Statistics. Digest of Education Statistics, 2000. David Hoff. "Teaching, Standards, Tests Found Not Aligned." Education Week, 31 October 2001. Online. Available: http://www.ed-week.org. April 3, 2002.