American students are falling behind their international peers in math and science, according to a recently released government study. The National Center for Education Statistics conducted the study back in 2023.
Every four years, the group releases the results of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), which looks at fourth and eighth graders worldwide. The study was the first to be published since the COVID-19 pandemic, showing mixed outcomes across the globe.
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The United States was among the countries that saw a decline. While American students still score above the international average, 4th graders’ math scores fell 18 points since 2019, and 8th graders’ scores went down 27 points. Researchers said this is the biggest drop the U.S. has seen since participating in 1995.
When it comes to science, American students’ scores weren’t measurably different between 2019 and 2023, but 4th graders’ scores have dropped since the TIMSS was first administered.
Overall, the gaps between the highest- and lowest-performing students are widening internationally. While there’s no consensus as to what’s causing the decline for American students, many educators say the rise of smartphones, changes in standards and pandemic-related school closures likely played a role.
