Global Education Scores Decline, U.S. Reading and Math at Lowest Point Since Early 2000s
Newly released results from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) show a significant decline in average scores for math, reading, and science among 15-year-olds in highly developed economies, reaching their lowest point in PISA history. Over 760,000 teenagers participated in the standardized test globally. The U.S. experienced continued declines in reading and math scores, hitting their lowest levels since the test's inception in the early 2000s. While U.S. math scores were on par with the OECD average and ranked in the top 15 for science, reading, and computational problem-solving, these rankings benefited from other countries' declines rather than U.S. improvement. A contributing factor identified is a widespread drop in families' interest and support for their children's education, particularly for boys, as well as increased digital distraction in classrooms.
