Math scores in America vary, with some states performing better than others, but generally, there is room for improvement.
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Math scores in America vary greatly from state to state, but overall, they could use improvement. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), only about a third of American eighth-graders are proficient in math. This is a cause for concern, as math skills are crucial for success in both higher education and many professions.
A quote from a notable person on this topic comes from former Secretary of Education Arne Duncan: “The United States has long been a global leader in education, but we are slipping – and slipping badly – in terms of educating our students, particularly in math and science.”
Here are some interesting facts about math scores in America:
- According to the NAEP, the states with the highest eighth-grade math scores in 2019 were Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Minnesota.
- On the other hand, the states with the lowest scores were Alabama, New Mexico, and Louisiana.
- The gender gap in math scores has narrowed in recent years, but boys still tend to score higher than girls overall.
- Students who come from low-income families tend to score lower in math than their more affluent peers.
- Math is one of the most commonly required courses for college admission.
To illustrate the varying levels of math proficiency across the country, here is a table showing the 2019 average math scores for eighth-graders in each state and the District of Columbia, according to the NAEP:
| State | Average Math Score |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 267 |
| Alaska | 284 |
| Arizona | 282 |
| Arkansas | 274 |
| California | 277 |
| Colorado | 295 |
| Connecticut | 292 |
| Delaware | 283 |
| District of Columbia | 265 |
| Florida | 276 |
| Georgia | 278 |
| Hawaii | 281 |
| Idaho | 285 |
| Illinois | 286 |
| Indiana | 288 |
| Iowa | 289 |
| Kansas | 290 |
| Kentucky | 279 |
| Louisiana | 266 |
| Maine | 287 |
| Maryland | 290 |
| Massachusetts | 299 |
| Michigan | 280 |
| Minnesota | 294 |
| Mississippi | 268 |
| Missouri | 288 |
| Montana | 287 |
| Nebraska | 289 |
| Nevada | 275 |
| New Hampshire | 296 |
| New Jersey | 292 |
| New Mexico | 265 |
| New York | 283 |
| North Carolina | 285 |
| North Dakota | 291 |
| Ohio | 288 |
| Oklahoma | 274 |
| Oregon | 282 |
| Pennsylvania | 290 |
| Rhode Island | 284 |
| South Carolina | 280 |
| South Dakota | 290 |
| Tennessee | 277 |
| Texas | 283 |
| Utah | 290 |
| Vermont | 292 |
| Virginia | 292 |
| Washington | 286 |
| West Virginia | 269 |
| Wisconsin | 290 |
| Wyoming | 285 |
Overall, it’s clear that math scores in America are not where they should be. However, recognizing this and working to improve math education nationwide can help ensure that students are prepared for the challenges of the future.
Other responses to your question
American students struggle in math, with the latest results of an international exam ranking the USA ninth in reading and 31st in math literacy out of 79 countries and economies. America has a smaller-than-average share of top-performing math students, and scores have essentially been flat for two decades. In the test’s first results since the pandemic began, math scores for eighth graders fell in nearly every state, with just 26 percent of eighth graders being proficient in math.
American students struggle in math. The latest results of an international exam given to teenagers ranked the USA ninth in reading and 31st in math literacy out of 79 countries and economies. America has a smaller-than-average share of top-performing math students, and scores have essentially been flat for two decades.
In the test’s first results since the pandemic began, math scores for eighth graders fell in nearly every state. A meager 26 percent of eighth graders were proficient, down from 34 percent in 2019. Fourth graders fared only slightly better, with declines in 41 states. Just 36 percent of fourth graders were proficient in math, down from 41 percent.
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Jo Koy discusses his son’s difficulties in seventh-grade math class, with both of them struggling with math. His son received a C-minus, considered failing, in a private school. The teacher urged Jo to help his son with math and also requiring him to pay a separate milk fee that he didn’t know was separate from the tuition. Jo also shares a personal story of growing up poor and his excitement for free milk in school, which he describes as a square box with three simple instructions but never made a spout.
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Also to know is, What percent of Americans are bad at math?
Answer: By Elie Venezky ContributorMay 4, 2018, at 2:07 p.m. Earlier this spring the U.S. Department of Education released the results from the 2017 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), and only 33 percent of eighth-graders tested proficient in math at grade level. This is unfortunate, and not at all surprising.
Thereof, How good is the average American at math?
Response will be: In the United States, adults weighed in at an average numeracy rate of 253 out of 500.
What state has the best math scores?
Interesting Data Findings
- Minnesota took the top spot with the highest average math score in the nation at 636, which is 106 points above the benchmark score of 530.
- The difference between the highest score (Minnesota) and the lowest score (Florida) is 156 points.
Why are math scores declining?
As an answer to this: In releasing the data, U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said the scores strongly reflect the losses caused by the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, which in many cases left schools closed for more than a year.
Considering this, Are American students struggling in math?
The response is: American students struggle in math. The latest results of an international exam given to teenagers ranked the USA ninth in reading and 31st in math literacy out of 79 countries and economies. America has a smaller-than-average share of top-performing math students, and scores have essentially been flat for two decades.
Are 13-year-olds getting better at math?
As an answer to this: WASHINGTON (AP) — Math and reading scores among America’s 13-year-olds fell to their lowest levels in decades, with math scores plunging by the largest margin ever recorded, according to the results of a test known as the nation’s report card.
Simply so, Why are math scores so low in America?
Answer: America has a smaller-than-average share of top-performing math students, and scores have essentially been flat for two decades. One likely reason: U.S. high schools teach math differently than other countries.
People also ask, Are students still performing better than 30 years ago in math?
The reply will be: Bridget Bennett for The New York Times Students today are still performing better than they did 30 years ago in math. For the last decade, math scores had held steady, with small fluctuations here and there. But this year, that stability was shattered. In eighth-grade math, the average score fell in all but one state.