U.S. Students Rank Lower Than Ever in Science and Math
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Comparing the scores of 15-year-old students in the United States to their international peers, the PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) report results, released Dec. 4, are especially disheartening this year. The average combined science literacy scale score for U.S. students was lower than the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, an intergovernmental agency of 30 member countries and the sponsor of the report) average, according to the latest PISA results. U.S. students fell to 25th place in math and 21st place in science. The United States was joined by Spain and Italy among the 32 countries that were classified as below OECD average. "In today's technology-based societies, understanding fundamental scientific concepts and theories and the ability to structure and solve scientific problems are more important than ever," the report said. Finnish 15-year-olds took the top spot in science knowledge, South Korea came in first in reading, and Taipei students were the smartest at math. |
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Comments (4)
AND YOU ARE SURPISED?
I ALSO WORK FOR A POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE ENCOUNTERS I HAVE HAD WITH SUPPOSED GOOD STUDENTS, THEY CANNOT WRITE A DECENT SENTENCE, ARE UNABLE TO SPEAK PROPERLY AND THE TAX RATES FOR THE AREA SHOW A 77% SCHOOL DISTRICT RATE. YET THE PRODUCT THEY PRODUCE FALLS FAR FROM WHAT WAS ACCEPTABLE YEARS AGO. WE ALL KNOW THAT WHEN THE AUTO CASH REGISTERS FAIL, THE YOUNG CHECKERS CANNOT ADD, SUBTRACT OR DIVIDE, MUCH LESS MAKE THE PROPER CHANGE.
PARENTS HAVE GIVEN UP THEIR PARENTAL DUTIES AND THE SCHOOLS REALY DON'T CARE.
THE EXCEPTIONS ARE THE FEW THAT MAKE IT!
Posted by buz hodges | December 11, 2007 1:19 PM
I think this is the result of at least four issues: 1. Parents don't pay enough attention to their kids and what they are learning.
2. Many teachers and administrators are concerned more about pushing political and social agendas than about educating. In fact, much of the rhetoric and posturing about "improving" education is really about getting more money and trying new "techniques" that don't work instead of pressing on with the tried and true methods. There is too much "no child left behind" sloganizing and not enough serious basic education.
3. Many teachers of science and math are incompetent, and they allow the use of calculators instead of insisting on students learning manual math techniques.
4. Schools lack discipline, primarily because parents have become unwilling to support school discipline. When we protect kids from the consequences that do or should follow their actions, they learn to "get away with" instead of "get to work"
Posted by Doug Schmutz | December 12, 2007 11:33 AM
It's not that the schools don't care but if you receive support from home, how much can the educational system do? Many of us expect everything from the school. It starts at home. Instead of buying all the latest and greatest games and TVs in every room, try buying educational CDs or books.
Posted by Robert Andrews | December 26, 2007 11:19 AM
Here is story I keep telling to friends how bad our kids doing math in school:
One day, I was standing in line for ordering food at McDonalds. The person in front of me asking for half a dozen of something. The kid taking the order said, "Sorry, we don't sell half a dozen." The man said, "Well, give me 6 of that then."
I was wondering what math the schools teach to our kids these days. Calculator is not a tool to learn math. Kids need the basic math skill.
Posted by wing | September 2, 2008 1:34 PM