U.S. math scores on the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) dropped sharply between 2019 and 2023, erasing decades of progress. Fourth graders fell by 18 points, while eighth graders plunged by 27 points—reaching levels last seen in 1995. [ABC News]
Why it matters: The steep decline highlights systemic challenges in math education, disproportionately affecting lower-performing students and exacerbating pre-existing gaps across socioeconomic and gender lines. [The New York Times, subscription model]
By the numbers:
- Global rankings: The U.S. now trails top-performing countries like Singapore, South Korea, and Japan. Some nations that historically ranked lower than the U.S. have overtaken it.
- Equity concerns: The lowest-performing fourth graders saw a 37-point drop, while their higher-performing peers maintained scores, signaling widening achievement gaps.
The context: While the pandemic disrupted education worldwide, experts argue that declines in U.S. math performance predate COVID-19. Contributing factors include inconsistent math standards across states and prolonged reliance on remote learning. [Chalkbeat]
What’s next: Policymakers and educators are being urged to rethink approaches to math instruction including both conceptual and procedural understanding, emphasizing engagement, creativity, and equity to counteract these declines and improve student outcomes.
