Student achievement

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An international study released recently by the Department of Education showed that American 12th graders are near the bottom of 21 countries studied in science and math. Although at the fourth grade level, the U.S. compared relatively favorably with other countries, by the time U.S. students reach the 12th grade, their understanding of science and math is significantly weaker than their peers in many other countries. For example, countries whose 12th graders performed significantly better than the U.S. in science include Sweden, Netherlands, Iceland, Norway, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, and Denmark.

The typical U.S. curriculum contains a far greater number of topics than most other countries. Researchers found a strong connection between this broad curriculum and the poor performance. Student achievement, however, is improving. Texas Teachers testify that Texas 4th grade students tied for the highest gain on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) mathematics test out of all the states participating in the testing. In addition, Texas had the highest percentage of African American 4th grade students and the fourth highest percentage of Hispanic 4th grade students scoring "At or above basic" on the NAEP mathematics test.

According to Texas Teachers, in the spring of 2005, almost three-fourths of all students taking the TAAS test passed (73.2%) - up from 67.1 percent just one year earlier.