Trends in Mathematics Performance

Over the past 20 years, elementary students have shown significant improvement in mathematics, surpassing the previous decline. However, this progress is often labeled as stagnation. Reading performance remains stable, with the U.S. performing well internationally. While elementary and middle school students show gains in math, high school students do not maintain these improvements.

What has been the trend in elementary school mathematics performance over the last 20 years?

• Stagnation

• No change

• A rapid and large improvement

• A significant decline

How do some people in the policy world describe the increase in mathematics performance?

• As stagnation

• As a decline

• As a catastrophe

• As a significant improvement

What is the status of reading performance in the U.S. according to international comparisons?

• The U.S. is good at teaching reading

• The U.S. is average at teaching reading

• The U.S. is poor at teaching reading

• The U.S. is excellent at teaching reading

What kind of gains have been observed in middle school mathematics performance?

• Large gains

• Moderate gains

• No gains

• Decline

What is the main issue with high school mathematics performance?

• A significant decline

• No real gains

• Stagnation

• Rapid improvement

What happens to the progress made in mathematics as students move to high school?

• It improves

• It remains steady

• It accelerates

• It erodes