6 observations from a devastating international math test

The Hechinger Report by Jill Barshay

Dec 16, 2024

Summary of “6 Observations from a Devastating International Math Test”

Jill Barshay’s Hechinger Report article examines the 2023 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) results, which revealed significant declines in U.S. students’ math achievement. These findings align with concerning trends observed in other major assessments like the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). Barshay identifies six key takeaways from the TIMSS data and interviews with education experts.

1. A Shrinking Middle and Growing Inequality

The TIMSS results highlight a “dwindling middle” in math proficiency among U.S. students. While top-performing students have maintained their scores, middle and lower-performing students have seen steep declines. Fourth graders at the 50th percentile dropped by 18 points, while those at the 10th percentile fell by 37 points. The percentage of fourth graders unable to perform basic math operations nearly doubled, from 7% in 2019 to 13% in 2023. This widening gap mirrors the socioeconomic inequality in U.S. society and may predict greater future disparities in income and opportunity.

2. Eighth-Grade Declines Among High Achievers

In eighth grade, the highest-scoring students experienced the steepest declines, with scores falling 50% more than those of lower-performing students. This contrasts with fourth-grade results, where declines were most severe among struggling students. Experts suggest that the pandemic disrupted foundational math instruction in critical years, affecting even affluent families’ ability to compensate for lost learning.

3. The Re-Emergence of the Gender Gap

The TIMSS results show a resurgence of the math gender gap. Among eighth graders, boys outperformed girls for the first time since 2015, and the gap in fourth grade widened to its largest ever. Experts attribute these disparities to various factors, including pandemic-related disruptions in learning environments that may have disproportionately affected girls.

4. Global Variability in Math Scores

Global TIMSS data revealed “crazy” patterns, with some high-performing nations seeing significant declines and others, like Turkey, making unexpected gains. Sweden, which kept schools open during the pandemic, recorded record-high scores for fourth graders, although similar policies did not consistently correlate with improved outcomes in other countries. These mixed results suggest that the impact of pandemic-related closures may vary widely based on local contexts and instructional strategies.

5. The Role of Pandemic and Pre-Pandemic Trends

While COVID-19 disruptions undoubtedly exacerbated learning losses, Barshay notes that U.S. math scores had been declining for over a decade before the pandemic. Fourth-grade scores have dropped steadily since 2011, and eighth-grade scores since 2015. This indicates deeper systemic issues in U.S. math education that predate the pandemic and may require more comprehensive solutions than pandemic recovery efforts alone.

6. Reasons for Optimism

Despite the grim results, Barshay highlights potential bright spots. Approximately 360,000 U.S. eighth graders—10% of the cohort—performed at the TIMSS’s most advanced level, showcasing the country’s ability to produce top math achievers. Additionally, state test results from 2024 in New York, Florida, and California indicate slight rebounds in math performance, suggesting that the TIMSS 2023 results may represent the nadir of pandemic-related learning losses.

Conclusion

Barshay concludes that the TIMSS results underscore the urgent need for systemic changes in U.S. math education. The widening gaps in achievement and the re-emergence of gender disparities highlight inequities that must be addressed. However, the resilience of top-performing students and early signs of recovery provide hope that long-term interventions could reverse the downward trends. Policymakers and educators will closely monitor the upcoming 2024 NAEP results for further insights into post-pandemic recovery.

Source: Barshay, J. (2024). 6 Observations from a Devastating International Math Test. The Hechinger Report. Retrieved from https://hechingerreport.org/6-observations-from-a-devastating-international-math-test/.

Original Article

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

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