The eagerly awaited results of the Program for International Student Assessment contained few surprises. Once again, Japan ranked near the top of the charts, finishing second in science and fifth in math among 72 countries or regions. The United States fell to the bottom half, as math scores dropped 11 points, the biggest decrease in the subject since 2009, while scores in reading and science remained flat.
PISA is widely considered the most valid instrument for measuring student achievement because it places heavy emphasis on the application of knowledge rather than its mere possession. It is given every three years to a representative sample of 15-year-old students from around the world in math, science and reading. The rankings are viewed as evidence of the success or failure of each nation's curriculum and instruction, and are carefully analyzed.
Math continues to be the single subject that most divides the performance of students in Japan and the U.S. For reasons still unclear, math has always been the most difficult for American students. Nearly a third of American 15-year-olds fail to meet the lowest level of ability in this subject. With that appalling record, it's no wonder Asian countries, including Japan, Singapore, South Korea as well as regions of China, have consistently beaten the U.S.