A Problem to Solve: Why American Students are Starting to Fall Behind in Math

Key Takeaways

• U.S. students are showing significant declines in math performance, with 8th graders' math scores dropping by 27 points since 2019, the largest decline since 1995.
• America ranks 38th out of 71 countries in math and 30th among OECD nations, with countries like Poland, Sweden, and Australia recently moving ahead of the U.S. performance.
• Achievement gaps are growing dramatically, with struggling students experiencing the steepest declines, up to 37 points for 4th graders in the lowest percentile.
• Without change, these declining math skills may affect America's future economic competitiveness and innovation potential.

The Alarming Truth: American Math Scores Are Plummeting

The state of mathematics education in America has reached a critical turning point. Recent data from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) shows U.S. students experiencing what researchers describe as "sharp, steep declines" in mathematics performance.

"This trend is worrying because it represents a significant educational challenge that threatens America's capacity to innovate in the future," states 9th Grade Algebra Made Easy, a group specializing in supplemental study materials covering subjects such as algebra. "Tackling this problem requires political will, but given the country's current priorities, we're not too confident that it will be addressed in the near future."

Where the U.S. Stands Globally in Math Achievement

Ranking 38th Out of 71 Countries in Math

The global view of American mathematics education reveals significant challenges. According to the Programme for International Student Assessment, which evaluates education systems worldwide, the United States ranks 38th out of 71 countries in mathematics. This places American students in the middle of the pack globally, far from the leadership position the nation once held.

30th Place Among OECD Nations

Compared to other developed nations, the situation becomes more concerning. Among the 35 member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the U.S. ranks 30th in mathematics and 19th in science.

Countries That Have Recently Surpassed America

Most concerning is that nations that previously trailed behind the United States have now overtaken American students in mathematical performance. Countries like Poland, Sweden, and Australia, which historically performed lower than the U.S., have implemented effective educational reforms and now score higher than American students in various grade levels and subjects.

Widening Achievement Gaps

The overall decline in U.S. math performance hides an even more troubling trend: the gap between high and low-performing students is growing dramatically. This means that while most students are doing worse, those who were already struggling are falling behind much faster.

Low-Performing Students Hit Hardest

The numbers tell a concerning story. Students who were already struggling with math concepts are experiencing the steepest declines. This growing gap threatens to create a two-tier education system where some students get adequate preparation for future careers while others fall further behind.

National assessment data reinforces this concern. In the 2015 National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 40% of fourth-graders, 33% of eighth-graders, and just 25% of twelfth-graders were rated as "proficient" or "advanced" in mathematics. With recent declines, these numbers are likely even lower today.

The 37-Point Crash Among Vulnerable 4th Graders

The size of the decline among struggling students is shocking. According to TIMSS data, American 4th graders in the bottom 10% saw their math scores drop by a massive 37 points. This represents a devastating decline for our most vulnerable learners and shows a fundamental problem in how we're teaching math to students who need the most help.

To put this in perspective, a 37-point drop can mean the difference between understanding basic addition and subtraction versus struggling with simple number concepts. These are foundational skills that affect all future math learning.

Why Top Performers Remain Relatively Stable

Interestingly, while lower-performing students showed huge declines, students at the top saw little change. Fourth graders in the top 10% showed no significant difference in their math scores between 2019 and 2023. This suggests our current teaching approaches may work adequately for high-achieving students while failing those who struggle with math concepts.

Steps to Reverse the Decline

1. Addressing Inequities in Math Education

Turning around America's math decline will require focused help for the students falling furthest behind. Schools must identify struggling learners early and provide them with extra resources, specialized teaching, and more learning time.

Some practical solutions include:

• Early catch-up programs specifically designed for struggling math students
• More classroom time dedicated to mathematics
• Teacher training focused on helping diverse learners
• Curriculum changes that build stronger basic skills before moving to harder concepts

2. Closing Gender Achievement Gaps

Another worrying trend is the return of gender gaps in math achievement. After years of progress toward equality, the 2023 TIMSS results show that American 8th grade boys now outperform girls by 14 points in mathematics and 11 points in science.

Addressing this widening gender gap requires immediate action. Research shows that girls' math performance is strongly influenced by cultural expectations, teacher attitudes, and teaching approaches. To close this gap, we need:

• Removing hidden biases in math instruction
• Strong female role models in STEM fields
• Supportive learning environments that build girls' math confidence
• Teaching strategies that connect math to real-world problems

3. Learning from Higher-Performing Countries

As nations like Poland, Sweden, and Australia move ahead of the United States in math achievement, American educators should study what works in these countries. Many high-performing nations share common approaches:

• Strong focus on mastering fundamentals before moving forward
• Clear, focused curriculum that goes deep rather than covering too many topics
• High-quality teacher preparation and ongoing training
• Cultural attitudes that value math skills and achievement
• Structured support systems for students who fall behind

By adopting these proven strategies while adapting them to American schools, we can begin to reverse the troubling trends in U.S. math performance.

The Future of American Competitiveness Depends on Math

The consequences of America's declining math performance go well beyond classroom walls. Mathematics forms the foundation for advanced studies in science, technology, engineering, and countless other fields. In today’s technology-driven global economy, being good at math is essential for success both individually and as a nation.

"The good news is that we know more than ever about effective mathematics teaching," 9th Grade Algebra Made Easy says. One such approach has allowed the company to develop resources designed to help students build strong mathematical foundations through a systematic method of teaching.

"By combining research-based approaches with a commitment to equity, we can begin to reverse these concerning trends and ensure all American students develop the mathematical foundations they need for future success," the team says.