The 2015 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) study finds American students underperforming their peers in several Asian nations. The U.S. was below the international average in math and about average in science and reading.
“We’re losing ground — a troubling prospect when, in today’s knowledge-based economy, the best jobs can go anywhere in the world,” said Education Secretary John B. King Jr. “Students in Massachusetts, Maryland, and Minnesota aren’t just vying for great jobs along with their neighbors or across state lines, they must be competitive with peers in Finland, Germany, and Japan.”
The successful children are those who are exposed to good teaching more often. Having pupils turn up is a start. In poor countries this often means expanding access for girls. In richer countries it means cutting dropout rates and truancy. Having teachers turn up also helps. Read more from the Economist on What countries can learn from PISA tests.